pecking order | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Derrynablaha 11 1

Nice Pecks 4W

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Rhiannon Jan 19, 2005 10:02:54

Replying to fitzcoraldo

Have any of you tried to make your own pecked rock art? I was just wondering how much hard work it must be, and how much time you'd have to devote to making such a piece. Presumably it must be pretty tough rock for the patterns to still be there? What kind of rock would you hit it with (something even harder I suppose)? Has anyone done any 'practical archaeology' on this? questions questions questions. I hope you've got a theory fitzcoraldo..

fitzcoraldo Jan 19, 2005 11:41:42

Replying to Rhiannon

I've had a few goes at creating my own carvings as have other contributors, but I'll let them tell their own tales. Primarily it depends on the rock type. I've produced carvings using flint, antler (an old bottle opener made from an antler tip that I bought in a jumble sale). Both methods were quite successful. I've yet to try carving an igneous rock, I'll have to pick a lump up on my next trip to the Lakes.

Rhiannon Jan 20, 2005 10:02:03

Replying to Rhiannon

Am I being paranoid or are you all being very evasive? Is there some secret pecking fraternity?

Are YOU responsible for the fylingdales stone?

I mean you must have to practise somewhere.

Hob Jan 20, 2005 16:08:40

Replying to Rhiannon

The time taken does depend on the hardness of the rock. Most of the stuff up my way is on sandstone, so it doesn't take that long. Mebbe about 10 mins for an average 3inch cup. NCl Uni's Clive Waddington has timed his efforts and comes up with about the same. If you use metal pick, no more than 2mins.

The amount of time taken to make a nice neat job is obviously greater. There's a bloke did a repro of the St John Lee Stone, (The repro's somewhere in Hexham I think). It's got multiple rings, and he included weathering, so it took him days. You can get much quicker weathering courtesy of mssrs Black and Decker.

I've had a go at igneous stuff, and even with metal pick, I think about half an hour for a decent sized cup would be about right. If those panels at Derrynabhala are on granite, it represents as much affort as the carvings on the Langdale boulders. Of course the whole panel could have been built up over years, if not centuries.