YOU rightly gave front page prominence (November 22) to the future location of the granite sarcophagus. Granite is usually robust and, if measures are taken to reduce the dampness within Betsy Grimbal's Tower, then that would seem to be the best place for it.

But, important though the sarcophagus undoubtedly is, its significance is eclipsed by that of three Early Christian inscribed stones, now in the vicarage garden.

These stones represent the beginnings of history in west Devon as they record the first known names of people who lived in the area in about AD 600. One stone was found in West Street, Tavistock, more than 200 years ago. The other two were removed from Buckland Monachorum in the 1830s and 1860s respectively.

The inscriptions are in Latin and Ogham (an Irish alphabet) and record names which prove links to Wales and Ireland, as well as the Romanised world. They should be celebrated far and wide as real historic treasures.

All three stones are exposed to weathering, which slowly erodes the inscriptions. None is in its original location. To preserve them for future generations, they should be placed under cover. The most fitting location would be inside the parish church, properly lit, as has happened with several other such stones both in Devon (eg, Lustleigh) and in Cornwall. Consideration should be given to offering Buckland Monachorum custodianship of their two stones.

It is to be hoped that these stones, as well as the sarcophagus, will be properly safeguarded for the future.

Tom Greeves

Tavistock