Rock art in Rossacoosane

Located in an area known as 'Poulacapple', on the lower E slopes of Knockanaskil mountain, this roughly triangular section of outcrop measures 1.7m x 1.2m. Its upper surface lies almost flush with surrounding ground level and was relieved of its covering of earth in 1904 (Lynch 1906b, 311). It features a number of poorly preserved motifs, comprising a cup-and-two rings with a radial groove, a cup-and-ring, a number of isolated cupmarks and various curvilinear and rectilinear outlines formed with grooves, some of which join to form a grid-like pattern. The stone is locally known as the 'Oscar Stone', and is reputed to mark the grave of Oscar, grandson of Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finlay 1973, 91-2). See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 68(d) The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 358. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. In improved pasture (160m OD), on an E-facing slope; Ash tree adjacent to N, tertiary road c. 10m to E and farm buildings are c. 30m to W. Overlooking forestry and small valley to E and overlooked by higher ground to W. A smooth and fractured, earthfast sandstone (dims. 1.20m N-S; 1.65m N-S; max. H 0.20m at W) having a flat, subrectangular surface (dims. 1.15m N-S; 0.90m E-W) bearing numerous weathered motifs which are obscured by moss along perimeter to N and across eastern half; Sod and grass also cover SW corner of stone. A cup-and-two-ring motif (overall diam. 30cm; ring Wth 2-3cm; D 3cm) is located upon S side of decorated surface, having a very weathered cupmark (cup diam. 10cm; D 3mm). A cupmark (diam. 5cm; D 6mm) is adjacent to N, having a long curvilinear groove (Wth 1.5cm; D 3-4mm) extending from cupmark at SE. A D-shaped ring (overall dims. 21cm NW-SE; 18cm NE-SW; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 3-4mm) is located to N; A cup-and-ring motif (overall diam. 16cm; ring Wth 2-3cm; D 4-5cm; cup diam. 6cm; D 7mm) is conjoined by a short groove at NE. A number of intersecting linear grooves (under moss) are forming a grid like pattern across northern area of decorated surface. A second D-shaped ring (overall dims. 15cm N-S; 24cm E-W; ring Wth 3-6cm; D 3mm) is located (under moss) to E of the cup-and-two-ring motif and has a modern chiselled appearance. Rough pickmarks (diam. 5-10mm) are randomly dispersed across decorated surface, particularly upon W half of stone and may be modern chiselled marks. A very rough oval area of pickmarks (overall dims. 19cm N-S; 10cm E-W; ring Wth 1.5cm; D 4mm) at extreme SW of decorated surface, also have a modern appearance. According to (Lynch 1906, 312), these markings are associated with 19th century forge activity where local information refers to workmen from preparing their tools upon the stone surface (Lynch 1906, 312). A rounded earthfast boulder (dims. 0.90m N-S; 1.40m E-W; max. H 0.50m) abuts the rock art site (KE092-037----) to W. It has a number of markings upon its NW surface, which seem modern and some appear to be an attempt to imitate the rock art (KE092-037----). These decorative elements consist of two cupmark (diam. 6cm; D 5mm) type motifs and a curvilinear groove (L 17cm; Wth 5cm; D 5mm). Lynch (RSAI 1906, 311-13) stated there was a forge on this farm in the 1840s and random markings upon the rock art stone (KE092-037----) and the adjacent boulder may be a result of workmen preparing/sharpening tools. The cupmarks upon this stone appear different from the usual type and have a more chiselled appearance, therefore this stone may have been ‘decorated’ at times during the 19th century when the forge was in operation. An ash tree abuts this boulder to N and forms a visible marker to identify both stones. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 6 July 2017