Description
Book SynopsisThis landscape study of the rock-art of Rombalds Moor, West Yorkshire, considers views
of and
from the sites. In an attempt to understand the rock-art landscapes of prehistory the study considered the environment of the moor and its archaeology along with the ethnography from the whole circumpolar region.
All the rock-art sites were visited, and the sites, motifs and views recorded. The data was analysed at four spatial scales, from the whole moor down to the individual rock. Several large prominent and impressive carved rocks, interpreted as natural monuments, were found to feature in the views from many much smaller rock-art sites. Several clusters of rock-art sites were identified. An alignment was also identified, composed of carved stones perhaps moved into position. Other perhaps-moved carved stones were also identified. The possibility that far-distant views might be significant was also indicated by some of the findings.
The physicality of carving arose as a major theme. The natural monuments are all difficult or dangerous to carve; conversely, the more common, simple sites mostly required the carver to kneel or crouch down. This, unexpectedly for British rock-art, raises comparisons with some North American rock-art, where some highly visible sites were carved by religious specialists, and others, inconspicuous and much smaller, were carved by ordinary people.
Trade Review‘Suffice to say, this publication makes yet another splendid addition to the already burgeoning bookcase of regional rock art studies in the UK.’ – Kenneth Lymer (2020): The Prehistoric Society
'This book is essential reading for anyone interested in British rock art and the cup-and-ring art of England particularly.' – Robert Wallis (2021): Time and Mind
Table of ContentsPreface ;
Chapter One: Background to the study ;
Chapter Two: Encountering Rock-art ;
Chapter Three: Landscapes of Rock-art ;
Chapter Four: Rombalds Moor ;
Chapter Five: Methodology ;
Chapter Six: Results I - The Whole Moor ;
Chapter Seven: Results II - Natural Monuments in their Large Locales ;
Chapter Eight: Results III - Small Locales ;
Chapter Nine: Results IV - The individual carved rock ;
Chapter Ten: Discussion ;
Appendices:
Appendix 1. CSI locale abbreviations and full locale names ;
Appendix 2. Removed Stones: carved stones in B&V and CSI databases, but excluded from the study database, with reasons ;
Appendix 3: Conversion of Bannister’s dates in radiocarbon years BP to cal BC ;
Appendix 4: Fieldwork Recording Sheets
