A long-term interest
The Ross-shire Rock Art Project (RRAP) was active about 10 years ago when many local panels were located and recorded by a small, but very active, group of NOSAS members. Paper records were kept, some records were put onto the local HER, and some experiments using photogrammetry were made. Ultimately it became clear that a consistent database would be the best way to make the records accessible and useful to all. That next step was under discussion when we first heard about proposals for Scotland’s Rock Art Project, and we immediately looked for ways in which we could take part.
Helping ScRAP as the pilot group
NOSAS joined ScRAP as a project partner with the special remit of testing the approach to field work and recording. This has involved field testing of the recording forms and guidelines, learning about photogrammetry, and entering data into the website and database. Initially we did this by visiting sites where there were multiple panels, so we could go as a group and work and learn together, and later in smaller groups by visiting more isolated panels.
The live project
Now the project is live we are simply one of a number of community groups progressing the recording aspects of the project. We are very interested in the analysis of the records and hope also to contribute to that. We are happy to share our experience with other community groups who may wish to compare notes.
You can find out more about other ongoing, and completed, work undertaken by NOSAS online
