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Rock art in Coomasaharn

Rock art

What is recorded here

Rock art in Coomasaharn stands upright inside a drystone field boundary on a southeast-facing slope in County Kerry, Ireland. Aoibheann Lambe first identified the faint marks in 2015. Lichen now covers much of the sandstone, but a ringmark, angular ring and possible cupmark still appear across its narrow northern face. The stone may have been moved into the wall, yet it remains set among ordinary farmstones as if remembering an older hand.
This monument was initially identified as rock art by Aoibheann Lambe in 2015.  Built into drystone field boundary, enclosing N-side of old farmstead and defining S-side of bohereen, on a SE-facing slope (208m OD). A slightly rough and unfractured, upright sandstone (dims. 0.85m NE-SW; Wth 0.15m; max. H 0.80m) with a sub-rectangular decorated surface (dims. 0.75m NE-SW; 0.30m NW-SE) which is N-facing. Possibly ex-situ given that it is incorporated into field boundary. The rock art is weathered and faint and is obscured by grey and light green lichens across the decorated surface. It consists of a cluster of pickmarks enclosed by a ringmark (dims. 10cm x 8cm; D 2mm) to E-side. A partial angular ring (dims. 17cm x 12cm; D 3mm) is to W-side; the incomplete part of this motif may have degraded due to freeze/thaw action. Possible trace of a cupmark is off-centre to E, within interior of partial angular ring motif. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 27 March 2017
Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the rock art at Coomasaharn may have held ritual or territorial significance, possibly linked to early farming communities. Its placement within a field boundary suggests it could have been part of a landscape marked by symbolic or spiritual meaning.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

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