

Scan of the motifs carved on the flat lid of a soapstone box.
Based on Stan the Man’s interpretation.
02/05/2015 – Kettley Crag’s place in the landscape. Top site. I made a little video (link below) – bit wonky. Don’t click if you plan to go as it’s better to see some sites with fresh eyes, I think :-) youtu.be/O1eiWMLBDv8
Mucking about at night with an off-camera flash.
The usual shot of Ketley, this time sunset in winter, just after the snow melted. I wish I’d been able to get there when it was a foot deep.
(After Beckensall, 2001)
(After Beckensall, 2001)
Carved panel at Ketley Crags
Ketley Crags ‘rock shelter’ with panel of art
The general view of Ketley Crags where the rock art is found
In the style of J. Collingwood Bruce’s “Incised Markings on Stone Found in the County of Northumberland, Argyllshire and Other Places’‘
see also:rockartuk.fotopic.net/c1184529.html
(They hadn’t found Ketley Crag’s carvings back in 1869, but if they had, I’ll bet they would have had a double spread in the book)
Light Sculpture by Phil Supple, at Simonside as part of the 50th birthday celebrations of the Northumberland National Park.
Like a lovely north facing clamshell.
Come to Ketley, gateway to the otherworld.
Flash-unit-onna-stick aproximates position of midsummer sunset to erase central groove. Mebbe.
18-10-05
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18/9/05
18/9/05
18/9/05
Based on Stan Beckensall’s diagram.
08/03.
08/03.
5-7-03. Can you believe this bracken?!? It’s a jungle down there!
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23-4-03
23-4-03
Taken 23-4-03. With the sun right across.
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A place to remember on this ‘Country File’ Sunday, 16th of March 2003!
OK Pebblethief, you asked for it and here we are; two Dutch sitting ducks. Make that Grouses for obvious reasons! Yes, it were our foot- or eyebrow prints you saw. And as always; the Badger came later. Lets keep the good memories!
From the West.
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Does it do it for you?
;-)
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3 Footprints
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15-3-03
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Sand courtesy of Badgers: 15-3-03
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Taken 15-3-03.
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Gorgeous! My new favourite.
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In our view one of the nicest rock art panels in the UK; Ketley Crag, North of Chatton Park Hill.
This place lives up to the hype. Not a big panel, and a pretty cramped rock shelter, but such carvings! So well placed and superbly executed, a masterpiece of prehistory.
The motifs at Chatton are snazzy enough, but if you go to Chatton, make time for the ‘Neolithic Lino’ in the rockshelter. It’s right down at the bottom of the slope, so maybe nip down from the top, avoiding the outcrops, then walk along, especially if it’s wet, as the soil is v. loose and rather dodgy underfoot (besides, one should attempt to minimise erosion).
It’s a great place to see how carvings erode over the years, the motifs at the back are worndown where they’ve been exposed longer, whereas those at the front, which were turfed over until quite recently, still have their peckmarks plain to see.
My mind is not convinced by the alleged standing stone just up from the rockshelter. I think it’s equally likely it’s an erratic that’s simply fallen upright as it fell down the slope. There are many others which are at various angles.
I do not have the words to describe the deep overwhelming joy of this place – Step in Shiki
“Roses:
The flowers are easy to paint,
the leaves diffcult.
The first time I saw pictures of the Ketley Crags shelter I knew I had to see it... the pictures had been burning in my mind.....it really is just one of those places you gotta see.....it wont disappoint.
I spent what seemed like an age looking through the bracken and rocks for the rock shelter......it musta been the last rock I went to.
It’s a real jaw-dropper.......it’d be hard to top this place in my opinion.
There’s also plenty to see on your way over Chatton.
5-7-03. Visited in misty rain, almost disappeared down the numerous badger holes, and the bracken was waist-high!
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Walked down from Chatton Hill, and after the inevitable scrabble to find it (It’s about 2/3rds the way down the slope towards the east) this was a breathtaking find. I think this may be my favourite (until the next one!). It’s the most gorgeous fleshy design and with the overhang to protect it, hopefully won’t get too much weathering. It’s as if every inch of the slab has been carved.
I thought I’d sit until the light was right across the whole panel but after a little while, as it faces roughly north, decided I’d be waiting a long time! I suppose it might happen in the summer. Take care as you try to get that perfect shot – one step back too many and you’ll be down the cliff.
Also beware of fupping great holes – I thought they were the largest rabbit holes I’d ever seen but apparently it’s badgers! Check out the picture showing human and badger paw prints… who’s was the zigzag sole there before me? Step forward RockArtUK :-)
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Ketley Crag on BRAC
Detailed map showing Kettley Crag site with access routes, etc as a PDF file.
A 3D laser scan of the panel.