Human disturbance to Northumberland rock-art sites

Northumberland 23

Image by moey

rockandy Feb 7, 2005 21:35:58

I have visited several of the classic and many of the more hidden sites in the past year and I'm seeing many more examples of human interference: cairns built near the motifs at Weetwood, turf removed at Millstone Burn, several stones brushed and roughly cleaned, flat stones hiding the motifs on the main panel at Midstead along with cleaned stone and a brush!

Even as an avid photographer, for me this is not on. If panels get temporarily buried maybe that's a good thing for their long term conservation. I go to visit mainly for the atmosphere of the site. Of course I like to look at the stones too in different light and in different moods. Perhaps the publicity rock art has been getting and now the accuracy of their location (at least in this area) is not so good. Most of the stones have been well recorded already. If it's not visble, leave it alone.

rocknicker Feb 7, 2005 21:44:22

Replying to rockandy

maybe they've maybe been "expertly" cleaned, rockandy... for the RA survey... and as for the cairns at weetwood - been around for ages as far as I know, and it would take me ages to find them otherwise!!

The RA on the golfcourse just shows the result of potential damage by lichen - not good.

I agree turfing is probably best, and some remain hidden for that reason.

You coming to the RAM?

Hob Feb 8, 2005 00:22:12

Replying to rockandy

It seems to be a tricky issue, not just up here too. Generalised guidelines for RA protection do not seem to exist. I know what you mean, I worry/wonder sometimes too. I've yet to get a convincing answer on way or another regarding lichen. I've not been, but I hear Chatton has a hoof problem. I guess each panel must be considered on it's own merits.

The turf at Millstone sounds a bit shan too. I've indulged in peel and reveal myself, but it's always 'peel-reveal-replace', permanent removal of turf is not nice.

If you ever want to hear a right old rant, send me your mail addy, and I'll go on and on about the stone at Throckley. For ages. On and on and on.

Like the look of those elephantine formations btw.

FourWinds Feb 8, 2005 07:27:58

Replying to rockandy

Much of Ireland's rock art is under turf and i don't mind not being able to find it to be honest. Until a way of protecting it while exposed can be developed that's where it should stay.