Maarten van Hoek The Geography of Cup-and-Ring ... - StoneWatch

top of a protruding rock shelter. In general one can state that the
circular engravings of the Neolithic are completely lacking on vertical
outcrop faces in Northumberland. This strongly contrasts with the fine
site at Ballochmyle in western Scotland, where hundreds of cups and
cup-and-rings appear on a huge vertical sandstone cliff !
Northumberland’s sandstone ridges occasionally feature outcrop
stacks, often in weird shapes, possibly once detached from the main
scarp slope. Also these impressive rock formations have been avoided
by the petroglyph manufacturers, although at one site, Caller Crag, I
discovered a large number of small cupules (facing the hill slope) on a
the vertical part of a large outcrop stack (Van Hoek 1989: 15).
* 1.2.3.1.2 It is on the gentle dip slope that the great majority
of the petroglyphs has been executed. As only a thin layer of earth or
turf covers the bedrock, it is easily exposed, especially on the highest
ground. Also on these dip slopes are several minor ridges of sandstone,
offering suitable surfaces for engraving.
But also in Northumberland differential selecting processes, often
hard to understand, were at work. Why where some outcrops selected
and others nearby, equally suitable, neglected ? Several explanations
have been put forward, relating distribution patterns to (contemporary
?) monuments in the area (Beckensall 1983; Bradley 1997), to long
distance migration (Van Hoek 1982; Bradley 1997) and to short distance
mobility (Bradley 1997). Again the true story is complex and much is
still obscure, but it becomes more and more accepted that the position
of the petroglyphs is related to the movements of the people across
the landscape and to the landscape itself. But are there rules dictating
the location of the petroglyph sites ? No doubt there will have been
choices that are culturally determined, but in my opinion matters of
chance and the personal liking of the manufacturer can definitely not
be ruled out.
* 1.2.3.2 DOUBTFUL AND CERTAIN LINES *
Northumberland’s geomorphology easily gives rise to the establishing
of lines of visibility between rock art sites. Wide views are common in
this area. But does this mean that petroglyphic sites have deliberately
been selected conform lines of intervisibility ? This view seems to be
held by Bradley (1997: 88) “…each major complex may be linked to only
one or two other locations with rock carvings, forming a network of
connections along the major valley system, which extends from southeast
to north-west. The rocks themselves cannot be picked out over
such long distances, but it is certainly possible to identify the natural
locations where they are found”.
M. van HOEK: 43 GEOGRAPHY