Rock art in Kealduff Upper

A cup-and-two rings, two cupmarks and a short straight groove occur close together at the N end of this section of outcrop, which slopes upwards to NE. See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 66 (b) 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. 345. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. In mountain heath (149m OD), within abundant rock outcrop and a dense growth of furze and molinia, on a NE-facing slope; Good views of River Behy valley NE->E. A slightly rough and unfractured sandstone boulder (dims. 4.0m N-S; 0.8m E-W; max. H 1.4m) having a subrectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.60m N-S, 0.40m E-W) with a SW-facing aspect. This rock outcrop bears a cup-and-two-ring motif (overall dims. 27cm E-W; 25cm N-S; cupmark diam. 6cm; D 5mm; ring Wth 1.5-2cm; D 3-4mm). Cupmarks (diam. 6cm; D 4mm-6mm) are adjacent to S. A linear groove (dims. L 22cm E-W; Wth 1cm; D 3-4mm) is adjacent to W. A small stream is close to NE. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 5 July 2017

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this rock art may have had ritual or symbolic significance, possibly linked to water or territorial markers. The arrangement of cupmarks and rings is commonly associated with ceremonial or funerary practices in prehistoric Atlantic Europe.