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.
Public engagement lay at the heart of Scotland's Rock Art Project, and our research was informed by the work of our dedicated Community Teams. You can find out more about our Teams on this page!
Find out about what motivates the ELF (Edinburgh, Lothians and Fife) Team by visiting their profile here.
ACFA members are certified archaeologists from the University of Glasgow, involved in a number of archaeological projects. They are currently divided in three rock art teams covering the Clyde, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. Read about their interests here.
Meet the Kirkcudbright Team and read about their interests and why they are involved in ScRAP!
Find out about what motivates the Whithorn Team from Dumfries and Galloway by visiting their profile here.
Being an island community archaeology has always played an important part of the social activities on Bute. Read more about their involvement with ScRAP in this section.
The Strachur group was the first team to be trained in order to undertake rock art recording fieldwork for ScRAP. Learn about their interests and motivation to collaborate with ScRAP here.
