Rock art in Kealduff Upper

In mountain heath (151m OD), with a concentration of rock outcrop and boulders, on a general NE-facing slope. An expanse of rock outcrop which is sod covered on two sides, to W and N of the decorated surface and is also covered by some sod, sphagnum moss and water on its S side. A smooth and fractured expanse of sandstone (dims. 1.85m E-W; 1.5m N-S; H 0.2m) is exposed between sod covered areas and has an irregular-shaped decorated surface (dims. 1.3m E-W, 1.2m N-S) which has a gentle S-facing aspect. All of the exposed motifs are defined by pickmarks and located across the southern margin of the exposed area of this rock. A cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 16cm; cup diam. 7cm; D 6mm; ring Wth 1cm; D 3mm) enclosed by a partial ring SW->W->NE, is located at W-end of decorated surface; two naturally formed fractures are adjacent to W. A cup-and-two-ring motif (overall dims. 26cm N-S; 23cm E-W; cup diam. 7cm; D 6mm; ring Wth 1-1.5cm; D 4mm) is located centrally upon decorated surface, 15cm to E of latter; The ring is open to E, however this may be a result of exposure to freeze-thaw action. A radial groove (dims. L 15cm; Wth 1.5-2cm) extends from cupmark to E and continues beyond the motif. A cup-and-two-ring motif (overall diam. 27cm; cup diam. 6cm; D 4mm; ring Wth 1cm; D 2-3mm), c. 28cm to SE of latter, forms E-end of decorated surface. A short portion of radial groove extends from middle ring to just beyond outer ring, at SE. This motif is enclosed by a line of pickmarks which respect the outer ring W->NW and terminate in a circular cluster of pickmarks at the N end, which may have been an intended cupmark. A number of similar characteristics to rock art (KE071-035----), c. 25m to S, may suggest that this (KE071-090----) is a duplicate site. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 5 July 2017