Rock art in Kealduff Upper

This large, irregularly shaped boulder, 3m x 2.9m x 1.1m high, is incorporated into a N–S field wall. Its upper surface slopes steeply upwards to W and bears a complex of very weathered carvings. The dominant motif is of cruciform shape and is formed of grooves, most of the outer terminals of which are enclosed by arcs within rings; similar devices are disposed within three angles of the design. N of this motif are a number of straight grooves, one of which terminates in a plain ring which is bisected internally by a groove. At the S end of the surface is a cup-and-ring motif with a radial groove, enclosed within a keyhole motif. The remainder of the decoration comprises complex grooving, with some cupmarks, but is too faint to clearly discern. See attached drawing of rock art taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, Fig. 67 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. 337. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. In rough pasture (138m OD), on an E-facing slope, incorporated into field boundary (long-axis N-S); Good views of River Behy valley NE->E and Beenreagh, Macklaun, Knocknaman, Coomreagh and Drung Hill mountains SE->NW. A slightly rough and fractured sandstone boulder (dims. 2.85m N-S; 2m E-W; max. H 1.75m) having an irregular shaped decorated surface (dims. 1.3m N-S; 0.9m E-W) bearing a complex arrangement of very weathered motifs that appear to correspond to those depicted by O’Sullivan & Sheehan (1996, 103; Fig. 67). A cruciform motif (overall dims. 45cm N-S; 40cm E-W) defined by pickmarks and comprising of seven equilateral cross shafts intersecting at a common point is off-centre to N; each shaft terminates in a variation of a cup-and-ring or partial cup-and-ring motif. A keyhole motif (overall dims. 25cm N-S; 19cm E-W; cup diam. 6cm; D 3mm; ring Wth 1cm; D 2-3mm) defined by pickmarks, is adjacent to SE; very weathered and may have been affected by freeze-thaw action. A linear groove (dims. L 40cm NW-SE; Wth 1cm; D 3-4mm) is adjacent to NE of cruciform motif. O’Sullivan & Sheehan (ibid) depict other linear and curvilinear features to S, SW, W and N of the cruciform motif, however only very faint traces survive and could not be deciphered. A grass-covered trackway (Wth 2m) is adjacent to E. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 5 July 2017

a cup-and-ring design, likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age periods. Such rock art may have held ritual or symbolic significance, possibly linked to territorial markers, ceremonial practices, or early forms of storytelling and identity.