Rock art in Magheranaul

Described by Van Hoek as 'In the first field directly W of DON 20 is an area of rock outcrop. Ouite prominent is a large and long ridge mentioned by the author to have cupmarks as (Van Hoek and Van Hoek 1985). On this occasion the ridge proved to be completely excavated to a considerbale depth (fig. 8A) and for its full length. This was probably done for the easy dynamiting of the ridge. All of the engravings (excpet DON 23B) are minor, and situated on the upper part of the ridge. From E to W there are five carved surfaces. DON 23A - This part of the rock bears two cupmarks. One is of the normal type; the other, however, is a large disc-cup. It has a long straight groove to the SE downt he slope of 18 degrees (Fig. 8B). Don 23 B - Only some 150cm further NNW of DON 23A is a very interesting group of engravings. There is only one single cupmark. Northeast of this are three boxes containing parallel grooves. The topmost one consists of a large clearly pocked box with an indistinct area of pocking. The smallest box is oval-shaped and encloses two short parallel grooves with a small cup above them. Next to this feature is another large, more irregaulr box enclosing at least 10 parallel grooves of different length, a clear cup with two complete rings, two small cups, and again an indistinct area of pocking connected by a clearly pocked groove to the box. The whole of this rock surface has been seriously scarred by plough-scratches but fortunately important features have not been defaced too much. The rock surface slopes 13 degrees E where carved (Fig. 8C). DON 23C - Some 3m further NW of Don 23B are some faint carvings very near the NW scarp of the ridge. On this part (sloping 5 degrees to the NE) are four cupmarks, one with one gapped ring. This part is alos plough scratched (Fig. 8D). DON 23D - About 5m further NW of DON 23C might be a doubtful cupmark with with even more doubtful traces of one ring around it. DON 23E - Again 5m further NW is a distinct, isolated cup and one complete ring. It is at the centre of a large, smooth face of the ridge sloping 7 degrees ot the NE, where carved (Fig. 8E)' (Van Hoek 1987, 34-6). This area of rock outcrop had been blown up with dynamite for quarrying by 1988 (Van Hoek 1988, 47). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: : 30 May 2010