>I concur that the swastika design on the stone *could* be a weapon, but isn't it also the
>case that swirls and spirals and stuff are common themes throughout rock art?

Yeah, although the design of the Swastika Stone is a little at odds with the other rock art on Ilkley Moor, being mostly based on unsymetrical cups and grooves. The design has more in common with the Camunian Rose in the Valcamonican rock art of nothern Italy. Leading many people to believe that the Swastika Stone dates from a later period than the rest of the rock art in the area.

It has been suggested that it could be an Iron Age carving (Brigantians being linked to Brigit, who was sometimes represented by a swastika style motif) or possibly Romano-British, the fort Roman of Olicana in Ilkley being largely garrisoned by Gaulish Celt recruits.