What is recorded here

An M-shaped groove and four cupmarks on a sandstone ledge in Letter West suggest someone marked the hillside before written history. The stones sit above the Behy River valley, exposing the design to rain, wind and passing feet. Perhaps a herder, traveller or keeper of local memory cut the line and cups to identify the place, record an event or leave a challenge for later viewers. The valley still appears when the clouds thin, carrying the marker forward without explaining it.

In mountain heath (168m OD), on a NE-facing slope, to NW of stream. Good views overlooking Behy River valley to NE and overlooked by mountains SE->W->NW. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone (dims. 1.25m N-S; 1.63m E-W; max. H 0.25m at SW) which is subrectangular in plan. It has an irregular decorated surface (dims. 0.88m N-S; 0.75m E-W) with the decorative elements concentrated upon the S-facing aspect and two single cupmarks upon a generally flat surface adjacent to N. The motifs upon the S-facing aspect consist of a set of four very prominent cupmarks of similar size and form. They are arranged two pairs either side of a linear groove (L 38cm; Wth 1.5cm; D 3mm). The pair of cupmarks (max. diam. 6cm; D 11mm) to W of the linear groove are almost conjoined whereby there is a low saddle between them, however this part of the rock may simply be prone to natural erosion. The two cupmarks to E of the linear groove are 4cm apart; the largest of these cupmarks (diam. 7cm; D 10mm) is to N. An M-shaped motif (total dims. 0.54m ENE-WSW; 0.44m NNW-SSE) formed by a meandering groove (Wth 1.5-2cm; D 3-4mm) encloses the four cupmarks and the short linear groove. Other possible linear grooves to E and W of M-shaped feature, although too faint to confirm as rock art. A single cupmark is adjacent to NW of the M-shaped feature and a second cupmark (diam. 3.5cm; D 9mm) is c. 42cm to NNW. Rock art (KE071-185----) is c. 14m to SSE. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 26 January 2018

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, this rock art may have served a ritual or territorial function, possibly linked to landscape orientation or seasonal markers. Its placement in a prominent, visible location suggests it held symbolic or spiritual significance for prehistoric communities in the area.

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