Rock Art Database

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Section A. CORE INFORMATION

A1. Identifiers

Classifications And Periods

County

DUNBARTONSHIRE

A2. Grid Reference(original find site)

A3. Current Location & Provenance

Section B. CONTEXT

B1. Landscape Context

B2. Current land use & vegetation

• Wood/Forest

Other:Public park

B3. Forestry

• No selection

B4. Archaeological Features within 200m / or visible from the panel

• Other rock art

B5. Location Notes

Located a gently W facing slope on the edge of an area of light forestry to the W and an open area of grass park land to the E, surrounded by numerous trees (primarily birch). Immediately to the SW of the panel are the tumbled remains of a small wall, possibly once a part of a garden landscape associated with the now ruined Auchnacraig house (visible on the 1st and 2nd edition 6" OS map). Two other rock art panels are located within the immediate vicinity, the closest, Auchnacraig 3 (ScRAP ID: 3124), is located c. 10 m to the SE, the other, Auchnacraig 2 (ScRAP ID: 3126) is located c. 40 m to the S. (Note: The single cup mark panel described by J Munro in DES in 2017 was recorded as adjacent to Auchnacraig 3 (here recorded as Auchnacraig 2, following the original OS record replacing A with 1, B with 2, and C with 3). After further cleaning it was uncovered that said cup mark is in fact a part of the same panel as Auchnacraig 2 and has been recorded in this phase of the project as a part of that record.)

Previous Notes

NS57SW 33 502 736 See also NS57SW 21, 32, 36 and 71. (NS 502 736) Cup and Ring Marked Rocks (NR) OS 6" map, (1938) Cup and ring marks on three rock outcrops "at the foot of the slope, and fully 300 yds south of.." a similar outcrop (NS57SW 32), are noted by Harvey, which may be those published on the OS 6" map. Rock B. Some 25 x 15ft with 30 degrees dip to the west. Upwards of 90 cups, up to 1 1/2 ins diameter and 1ins. deep. Shallow ducts join groups of five, three, and two cups. Two cups only have concentric circles of two rings. Rock C. It has 7 isolated cups 3-4 1/2 ins in diameter. Rock D. This has 8 cups, 2 of which are 2 1/2 ins in diameter. J Harvey 1889. In 1951 OS field investigator identified the outcrops published on the OS 6" in the house garden of Auchnacraig, but could only see very faint marks on them but no sign of cup and ring marks. In 1966 the OS field investigator located three rocks beneath trees, all bearing cups though none bore concentric rings. A - NS 5028 7366 - Partly moss-covered but at least 25 cup marks are visible. B - NS 5029 7365 - Partly heather-covered. It has at least 10 cup marks. C - NS 5029 7362. Almost covered by moss and turf; 4 cup marks visible. Visited by OS (W M J) 10 November 1951 and (R D) 24 August 1966.

Section C. PANEL

C1. Panel Type

C2. Panel Dimensions, Slope & Orientation

C3. Rock Surface

C4. Surface Features

• Fissures/cracks
• Natural Hollows

Other: Glacial striations

C5. Panel Notes

A large, significant sandstone outcrop quarried along the N edge with numerous glacial striations, fissures and quartz veins across the upper surface. Unusually a single cup and ring motif has been carved on the lower SE end of the vertical edge to the S, The largest, gently W sloping surface has been carved with numerous motifs, including 61 cup marks, a cup and partial ring, 2 cups with tails and double penannular rings, two angular grooves and a grouping of unusual motifs including cups and grooves as well as incorporating natural features. A large natural hollow sits beside the S edge, it appears to have been enhanced with peck marks. In several places the motifs appear to be positioned around and within the quartz veins which meander across the rock surface. There are several pieces of modern graffiti including initials made by two individuals with the surname Reid in '04 (whether this was 1904 or 2004 is not specified, but due to lack of extensive weathering and the lack of any previous mention of graffiti in other records 2004 is thought more likely). Additionally, the name 'Kenny' has been lightly scratched into the upper surface of the rock.

C6. Probability

The probability that there is any rock art on the panel is Definite

Comments

As there are a number of embedded pebbles which appear to have weather out of the rock, it is difficult in places to identify whether cup marks are natural or man made.

C7. MOTIFS

Visible Tool Marks? No

Visible Peck Marks? No

Section D. ACCESS, AWARENESS & RISK

D1. Access

• Right to Roam access.
• Access is managed by a national organisation.

D2. Awareness

• This panel is known to others in the local community.

There are stories or folk traditions associated with this panel No

D3. Risk

Natural

• There are shrubs growing on the rock surface.
• There are trees nearby whose roots might disturb the rock.
• Water will pool deeply on parts of the surface.

Animal

Human

• There is graffiti (paintings and/or carving) on or near the rock.
• The rock is located on/nearby a path or place where people might walk.

Comments and other potential threats

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