What is recorded here

Thirty cupmarks and ringed grooves cluster on a tilted sandstone slab half-swallowed by Kerry bog. A long linear cut divides the western rings from eastern cups, suggesting someone mapped memory or territory across the stone. Behy River mist still moves over the valley below, carrying the shape of hands that worked the rock before writing existed.

This very weathered section of outcrop is exposed in a 1m deep bog-cutting. Its level upper surface bears a cupmark and a linear groove (information: A. Purcell). 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. 282. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 28 July 2013 In a small, shallow depression (152m OD), in blanket bog, c. 5m to SW of trackway. Overlooking Behy River valley to NE. A slightly rough and unfractured, sandstone rock (dims. 1.75m E-W; 0.9m N-S; max. H 0.42m at E), which has an irregular-shaped decorated surface (dims. 1.20m E-W x 0.70m N-S) which is generally flat with a very slight N-facing tilt. Higher ground encloses the rock to S, W and N, where it is partially covered by sphagnum moss, peat and water run-off. The motifs are clearly visible and consist of fifteen cupmarks, three cup-and-one ring motifs, including one cup-and-partial ring. A long, linear groove divides the decorated surface into an area to E and W. The main motifs appear to be concentrated upon the area to W: There are two curvilinear grooves which enclose the cupmarks and cup-and-one ring motifs and a linear groove which extends (long-axis N-S) across the rock face. Two well preserved and pronounced cup-and-ring marks (diam. 12-14cm) consisting of a cupmark (diam. 5-6cm; D 6-8mm) and a ring groove (Wth 1-1.5cm; D 4-5mm) at W-end of rock face. The cup-and-ring motif to W has a short radial groove extending to S and turning at a right angle to SW. The second cup-and-ring motif adjacent to E, has a hollowed out area to S with a short, linear groove (long axis N-S) extending to S, and cupmark to SE of same. A partial cup-and-ring motif is located to SE. Four cupmarks (diam. 4-6cm; D 5-6mm) in close vicinity to N and E, are enclosed by curvilinear grooves. The remaining portion of the decorated surface, to E of the dividing groove, bears a closely formed cluster of five cupmarks to S. Five other cupmarks are to N. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 3 March 2017

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