Rock Art Database

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Section A. CORE INFORMATION

A1. Identifiers

Classifications And Periods

County

WIGTOWNSHIRE

A2. Grid Reference(original find site)

A3. Current Location & Provenance

Section B. CONTEXT

B1. Landscape Context

B2. Current land use & vegetation

• Improved Pasture
• Wood/Forest
• Conservation

B3. Forestry

• Mature

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

• Other rock art

B5. Location Notes

Drumtroddan 5 is part of a group of cup-and-ring marked rocks (Drumtroddan 5 - 7) located within an enclosure in a wooded area approximately 250m S of Drumtroddan Farm. Further rock art panels are located within two fenced-off enclosures approximately 70m to the E (Drumtroddan 1-4 and Drumtroddan 8-13). Drumtroddan 5 - 7 are part of the same Canmore ID (62767) and HER record (MDG2439). Together with the panels within the fenced-off enclosures they are part of the same scheduled monument designation (SM90101), and are properties in care. Drumtroddan standing stones (Canmore ID: 62762) are approximately 400m to the S. Drumtroddan 5 is the largest panel in the enclosure. Drumtroddan 6 is located about 1m to the S and Drumtroddan 7 is located about 5m to the W of Drumtroddan 5. The enclosure within the wooded area is separated from the field by a drystone field dyke with a stone stile set into it. The enclosure measures approximately 10x12m. The panels all lie at the highest point of the field, and there are views in particular to the N towards Drumtroddan farm, and beyond to the N and NE towards the Galloway hills. Views in other directions are partially obscured by trees.

Previous Notes

NX34SE 24 3619 4470. NX 3618 4470. Two rocks bearing cup and ring marks, surveyed in 1951. (2 dots shown on OS 6" (1959)). Information from OS Reviser (AEW) 10 September 1951 Morris describes 2 slabs, in the wood (presumably Drumtroddan Plantation), 5 yds in from its E wall, and 55 yds from the S wall. On the first outcrop, c.12'x 10', there is a cup-and-four-rings, 24" in diameter, and a cup-and-two-rings, 9" in diameter. The other slab, which lies 3 yds SW of the first, is c.1 1/2' square as exposed, and bears a cup-and-three-rings, 13" in diameter. R W B Morris and D C Bailey 1967; R W B Morris 1965 NX 3619 4470. Description correct. Site in process of being taken over by the Department of Environment. Surveyed at 1/2500. Visited by OS (IA) 26 January 1973

Several groups of markings have been found on the exposed faces of the greywacke outcrops in this open pastureland. There are cups, cups with rings, and some with connecting channels. The carvings show much variation in design, incorporating complete and gapped rings, and some with radial grooves. The maximum number of rings is six, and the greatest diameter within the fenced groups is 0.38m. A recently-discovered outcrop, 250m south-south-west of the fann at NX 361446, includes a much weathered cup-and-five rings, 0.71m in diameter. Information from ëExploring Scotlandís Heritage: Dumfries and Gallowayí, (1986).

Section C. PANEL

C1. Panel Type

C2. Panel Dimensions, Slope & Orientation

C3. Rock Surface

C4. Surface Features

• Fissures/cracks
• Bedding Planes

C5. Panel Notes

Drumtroddan 5 is a large, triangular-shaped panel, sloping gently to the N and measuring 3.3 x 2.5m. It rises to 0.6m at its highest and lies flush with the turf surrounding it. The panel is marked by fissures, and bedding planes are numerous and visible across its surface. The panel is part of a greywacke outcrop, and is slightly pink in colour. The panel has a number of motifs across its surface, some of which are hard to discern because of the weathering of the stone. The surface may also extend further under the turf surrounding it. The largest motif visible is on the N (lower) part of the panel and is a cup-and-six-rings. The outside rings of this motif are more irregular in shape than the inner ones, and extend as far as the panel edge and, on the S side, are partially truncated by a natural fissure running across the rock E-W. Also within this N (lower) area are a cup-and-ring (partially truncated by erosion) and two single cupmarks, all to the E of the larger motif. In the S (upper) part of the panel, lying above the natural fissure running across the rock, the area is divided in two by a further natural fissure, with a large, main area, and a smaller section of the far SW part of the panel. In the main part, at the E edge, is a cup-and-three ring motif, with the two outer rings partially interrupted by eroded areas and containing two possible small individual cupmarks within the ring area. The cupmark is extneded by a small groove running to the W. To the W of this motif there is single cupmark with a groove (possible partial ring) beside it, and a further single cupmark and, separately, a short groove which may also have been part of a ring, possibly oriented around a natural hollow. Slightly further to the W, is a natural hollow with two partial rings surrounding it. At the W side of this part of the panel there is a cup with two irregularly shaped rings, partially truncated by the edge of the panel and a cup-and-two rings with the outer ring truncated. There are also at least seven, and possible eight, single cupmarks scattered across this area. In the far SW corner there is a large single cupmark with a broad channel running to the SW and two rings. Beside this are found two cup-and-single-ring motifs. one with a small groove, and two single cupmarks.

C6. Probability

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

Comments

13 cupmarks and three possible cupmarks

C7. MOTIFS

Visible Tool Marks? No

Visible Peck Marks? No

Section D. ACCESS, AWARENESS & RISK

D1. Access

• Right to Roam access.
• Panel is on Private land.
• Access is managed by a national organisation.
• There is and interpretation on site.

D2. Awareness

• Panel was known before the project.
• This panel is known to others in the local community.

There are stories or folk traditions associated with this panel No

D3. Risk

Natural

• Large areas of the rock are covered in lichen, moss or algae.

Animal

Human

• The rock is located on/nearby a path or place where people might walk.
• The rock is in an area with visitor facilities.

Comments and other potential threats

The panel is a Property in Care, within the care of HES. There are some visitor facilities, including parking and an interpretation panel in one of the enclosures. There is a lot of moss in this area, probably because of overhanging trees.