West Hills, Thropton

Hadn't seen this before, very interesting indeed!

How long would that take to make I wonder? Is it pecked out like an original? Ah, where's Mr Hobson when you need him.

Not sure, I assume it must be pecked out, not sure how else it could be done.

It's extremely unlikely given the total lack of precedent and the seemingly decent condition, but imagine if it was done 4000 years ago!

I was given a case of assorted Trappist beers as a late birthday present recently and it does bear an uncanny resemblance to my face the next morning.

Ew but I do hope you enjoyed them while you drank them. These days sometimes I think the hangover's coming on before I've even left the pub.

About the face, perhaps it's the exception that proves the rule, who knows. It's quite big, you'd imagine it'd be quite a bit of work. And not knocked out without thought, they're not just holes for eyes and mouth. Plus eyes about half way down the head as they should be, although that's not how they work out when most people draw a face.

I wish there was more rock art down here in the south.

Believe it or not, thats exactly what I thought when I looked at it, the ears are in the right position! What a strange thing for both of us to think on looking at it.

It has a bit of an African art 'vibe' about it, doesn't it? And, yes, there seems to be extra attention paid to parts, especially the eyes and mouth which you wouldn't necessarily think about doing. And the way the cheeks have been highlighted by the pecking (not picking) around the nose.

Is it a copy of an already existing artwork perhaps?

I don't know whats going on there, but I like it!

Regarding Rock art down south, yes, more would be good. I once spent a couple of hours looking for the 'cup marked stone' at fyfield, not far from the Polisher. Have you seen it? I found it in the end but not convinced of its authenticity.

It does look like an African mask doesn't it, I suppose there's the 3d carving link. You're quite right, to create cheeks is going further than you'd expect too.

I was reading John Billingsley's book about so-called 'celtic heads' recently. I guess it's an obvious object for human beings to want to depict, you'd think in any era. but having said that the rock art of prehistoric britain is overwhelmingly patterny isn't it.

Oh I have seen the Polisher but so very long ago. Should get back there really. I liked its smoothness. What made you think it wasn't 'right'?

Sorry, I think I caused a bit of confusion there, I wasn't doubting the Polisher, it's the cup marked stone nearby I'm not convinced by. I'm no expert, but it just didn't look or feel right. The cups themselves aren't like others I've seen and the other few 'carvings' might be natural too.

It might be wrong to compare it to the sites I've seen in Scotland for example, but it didn't seem right to me.

I don't know if George has seen it but would be interested in his opinion.

No that was my poor reading, my brain was getting tired. I've not seen the alleged cupstones.