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Cumbria Rock Art?????

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fitzcoraldo F
fitzcoraldo Sep 15, 2006 13:10:56
Replying to The Eternal

The Eternal wrote:
The large slab at the side of the road opposite is intriguing too, with its many huge "cup" marks. Natural, or man-made? Let me know what you think.

Fitzcoraldo found another Great Langdale rock art site near the campsite, and although I've not seen it, I've walked past it numerous times, and it's in a great position. Again, see the Cumbria section of TMA.

Hi Mr E
I would say that the "huge cup marks" are almost definitely not man made but are features that are probably caused by the weathering out of pebbles.
"The BVG (Borrowdale Volcanic Group) rock at these localities is not homogenous in composition, but is composed of many particles (clasts) ranging from millimeters to meters in diameter. The BVG here is a sedimentary rock, in fact pebble sized conglomerate composed of volcanic debris"
Taken from the contentious article
'Neolithic, natural or new? Critical observations of cup and ring petroglphs in Langdale Cumbria' by Haszeldine and Haszeldine.

I wish I had found the Gt Langdale site but the credit for that falls to Gabriel M Blamires

T The Eternal
The Eternal Sep 15, 2006 17:05:38
Replying to fitzcoraldo

Hi Fitz,

I agree with you about the huge "cup" marks at the side of the road opposite Copt Howe. There are similar examples up on t'hills.
I was passing the Grasmere site today, so stopped for a look. Like your good self, I was struck by the similarity with Beckstones at Patterdale. I've not been to the Crummock site, but from the photos on TMA, that looks similar too. As I was leaving, I noticed another larger outcrop in the field, over the wall opposite the car park entrance. It's the one with the trees on top, grid reference NY 337 077. I didn't have time to start scratting about there today, but it might be worth checking out in the future. It looks as if a bit of turf will need removing. Other similar, flat-topped outcrops I've inspected in the past around Grasmere are in the vicinity of grid ref NY 331 071. As you say, there are propably lots more to be found.

Regards,
TE.