Megalithic Art

Annexus Quam Mar 29, 2003 20:17:48

Being involved in the intense megalithic imagery of Iberian sites at the moment, and I'm briefly pondering backwards over the sites in the UK. I've realised I've never actually delved too deep into its geographic distribution there. How widespread is it? Is it found anywhere under the Pennines? And I don't mean just cupmarks, the occasional Stonehenge marks or Pictish symbolism, you know; I am looking for solar, human and figurative art on monuments or menhirs like the famous stuff in Brittany, Malta or Eire. Knowing of no proper Paleolithic cave art in Britain, I am trying to establish a continuum of tradition in art in the Mesolithic cultures of Europe, as the Channel was created around that time, severing the Isles from the Continent.

fitzcoraldo Mar 29, 2003 20:59:48

Replying to Annexus Quam

Lo AQ
There is rock art south of the pennines.
It would be rather boring to list them all here so I'll send you some info by e-mail.
I can recommend Richard Bradley's book "Rock Art and the Prehistory of Atlantic Europe". It was written in '97 so is not bang up to date on all the British sites but it provides a good overview of rock art from the Iberian peninsular to Scotland.
If it's just British stuff you want check Stan Beckensall's book "British Prehistoric Rock Art" ....soon to be a database!
Also if you check out this site http://groups.msn.com/rockartinthebritishlandscape/home.msnw
Apart from being a good site, there are some excellent links to sites further afield.
Happy hunting matey

FourWinds Mar 30, 2003 06:55:35

Replying to Annexus Quam

The most comprehensive study of passage tomb art has been done by Elizabeth Shea Twohig. I'll hunt out the name of her book later, but in it she studied Iberian, Breton and Irish passage grave art and did a contrast/compare.

Chris Collyer Mar 30, 2003 22:48:19

Replying to Annexus Quam

Have you seen this carving on Askwith Moor?
I was looking for it today but had an 'incident' with some sheep so I didn't find it. I'm not sure whether it represents a human figure carrying another figure - I've heard it refered to a holding a rainbow or a hunter with a bow.

http://www.alkelda.f9.co.uk/index.htm

-Chris

grufty jim Mar 31, 2003 15:23:16

Replying to Annexus Quam

This isn't really in response to the specifics of
your message; but if you're studying megalithic
art, then my friend Gyrus' article at:

http://norlonto.net/index.cfm?action=articles.view&itemID=87

might be of interest to you?

Chris Collyer Mar 31, 2003 22:15:03

Replying to Annexus Quam

While we’re on the subject of rockart...

Yesterday before the sheep meet, I was over on the other side of the road looking for the Tree of Life Rock and the Death’s Head Rock. I eventually found them both but the co-ordinates for them on TMA are the wrong way round.
I’m not blaming you (hehe!) as Stan the man gets them the wrong way round in British Prehistoric Rock Art too. Any chance you can put them right, and I’ll post the pictures and fieldnotes.

Cheers –

-Chris :-)