History of Rock Art Studies
By Jan J. Brouwer (rockartuk)
This page is part of the
British Rock Art Collection
General
By Jan J. Brouwer (rockartuk)
This page is part of the
British Rock Art Collection
General
It's hard to believe that the decorations on the rocks stayed unnoticed for such a long time. The successors of the original makers, the Beaker people, didn't copy the motifs on their pottery or other material. The Picts were not inspired by the motifs when they painted their bodies and decorated stones. The Celts, creators of splendid art forms on all sorts of material, must have seen the motifs but didn't use them in their designs. Even the Romans, who recorded almost anything on paper as well as on stones, were not tempted to mention the ancient decorations in the fields. The Vikings must have had other things on their minds than this mysterious carvings. It took almost 4000 years before we began to wonder about these heritage from a long forgotten past. What follows is a brief history of the study of rock art based, for the part after 1800, on Stan Beckensall's "British Prehistoric Rock Art" (Tempus, 1999), chapter 4, p.31.
What was noticed before 1800 and who was first?
From "Cup-Stones Near Old Fort Ranson, N.D." by T.H. Lewis in 'The American Naturalist, Vol 25, No. 293 (May, 1891), pp 455-461.
On the first page (455) is the following information:
"Apparently the earliest mention of cup-stones, in print, was in 1751, in a historical work on the (German; rockartuk) province of Brandenburg, by J.C. Bekmann. The author speaks of certain boulders there which have on them näpschensteinen, or little-bowl-stones, as he terms them. Next, in 1773, there was found at Lynsfort, in North Britain, a druidical altar full of "rock basons", which was pictured in Williams Camden's "Britannia" , 1789." A reference to this find is made in "Archaic Rock Inscriptions; An account of the Cup & Ring Markings on the Sculptured Stones of the Old and New Worlds" by A Reader, Orange Street, Red Lions Square, London, 1891:
"The earliest notice of cup and ring marks inscribed upon British or other rocks, is that in Camden's Britannia, Gough's edition, vol. 3, London, 1789. Opposite page 6003 is an engraving of one of these sculptured stones, and the reference to it on page 645 says: - "It represents a Druidical altar, discovered lying in the ground near the Rev. Mr. Hart's at Lynsfort, on Inis Oen, 1773. The greatest length is 28 ft, in breadth, 25 ft. It is full of rock basons, and in one corner is what is described as 'a block on which the human victims were slain, and never seen on an altar before'."
Since Lynsfort and Inis Oen could not be traced in any search-engine, we asked our TMA-friends if they had a clue where it was. They replied promptly: It is Linsfort on the Ineshowe peninsular in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.
This account by Reader may well mark the first "discovery" of prehistoric rock art (1773), published in 1789.
Sir James Y. Simpson published a lithograph of a decorated slab by Mr Ritchie in Plate 13 of PSAS 6, App., 1864-6, and wrote:
"Coilsfied, Ayrshire. - In 1785, Colonel Montgomery, afterwards ninth Earl of Eglinton, sent a drawing of the cover of the kistvaen and enclosed urn to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The cist was about five feet in lenght and two and a half in breadth. Interally, it had cut upon it a series of concentric circles, consisting of six rings placed around a central cup, the rings traversed by a straight radial groove. On the drawing are marks of other cups and rings, or rather volutes, and a number of angular lines. Unfortunately, a variety of inquiries which I have made after this interesting stone, shows that it has been lost now for many years, and that it is therefore impossible to correct the rough original drawing of it, copied into Plate XIII."
On the first page (455) is the following information:
"Apparently the earliest mention of cup-stones, in print, was in 1751, in a historical work on the (German; rockartuk) province of Brandenburg, by J.C. Bekmann. The author speaks of certain boulders there which have on them näpschensteinen, or little-bowl-stones, as he terms them. Next, in 1773, there was found at Lynsfort, in North Britain, a druidical altar full of "rock basons", which was pictured in Williams Camden's "Britannia" , 1789." A reference to this find is made in "Archaic Rock Inscriptions; An account of the Cup & Ring Markings on the Sculptured Stones of the Old and New Worlds" by A Reader, Orange Street, Red Lions Square, London, 1891:
"The earliest notice of cup and ring marks inscribed upon British or other rocks, is that in Camden's Britannia, Gough's edition, vol. 3, London, 1789. Opposite page 6003 is an engraving of one of these sculptured stones, and the reference to it on page 645 says: - "It represents a Druidical altar, discovered lying in the ground near the Rev. Mr. Hart's at Lynsfort, on Inis Oen, 1773. The greatest length is 28 ft, in breadth, 25 ft. It is full of rock basons, and in one corner is what is described as 'a block on which the human victims were slain, and never seen on an altar before'."
Since Lynsfort and Inis Oen could not be traced in any search-engine, we asked our TMA-friends if they had a clue where it was. They replied promptly: It is Linsfort on the Ineshowe peninsular in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.
This account by Reader may well mark the first "discovery" of prehistoric rock art (1773), published in 1789.
Sir James Y. Simpson published a lithograph of a decorated slab by Mr Ritchie in Plate 13 of PSAS 6, App., 1864-6, and wrote:
"Coilsfied, Ayrshire. - In 1785, Colonel Montgomery, afterwards ninth Earl of Eglinton, sent a drawing of the cover of the kistvaen and enclosed urn to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The cist was about five feet in lenght and two and a half in breadth. Interally, it had cut upon it a series of concentric circles, consisting of six rings placed around a central cup, the rings traversed by a straight radial groove. On the drawing are marks of other cups and rings, or rather volutes, and a number of angular lines. Unfortunately, a variety of inquiries which I have made after this interesting stone, shows that it has been lost now for many years, and that it is therefore impossible to correct the rough original drawing of it, copied into Plate XIII."
In short:
- 1773 - Discovery of an "altar, full of rock basons" in Linsfort, Ineshowe, Co. Donegal, Ireland;
- 1789 - Publication of an engraving of the Linsfort find in Camden's Britannia, Gough's edition.
- 1785 - Drawing of the Coilsfield slab by Colonel Montgomery.
The start of the rock art story from of Mr Langlands discovery in Northumberland
1820's
George Tate, the Alnwick historian, wrote about the first discovery of rock art: 'J.C. Langlands discovered some worn and defaced figures incised on a rude sandstone block, near to the great camp on Old Bewick Hill in north Northumberland. Though strange and old-world looking, these figures then presented an isolated fact, and he hesitated to connect them with by-past ages; for they might have been the recent work of an ingenious shepherd, while resting on a hill; but on finding, some years afterwards, another incised stone of a similar character on the same hill, he then formed the opinion, that these sculptures were very ancient. To him belongs the honour of the first discovery of these archaic sculptures'. He was to pursue the subject himself with great enthusiasm.
George Tate, the Alnwick historian, wrote about the first discovery of rock art: 'J.C. Langlands discovered some worn and defaced figures incised on a rude sandstone block, near to the great camp on Old Bewick Hill in north Northumberland. Though strange and old-world looking, these figures then presented an isolated fact, and he hesitated to connect them with by-past ages; for they might have been the recent work of an ingenious shepherd, while resting on a hill; but on finding, some years afterwards, another incised stone of a similar character on the same hill, he then formed the opinion, that these sculptures were very ancient. To him belongs the honour of the first discovery of these archaic sculptures'. He was to pursue the subject himself with great enthusiasm.
1830
Archibald Currie published the first brief regional survey of rock art, the cups and rings of Cairnbaan, in Descriptions of the Antiquities, Etc., of North Knapdale.
Archibald Currie published the first brief regional survey of rock art, the cups and rings of Cairnbaan, in Descriptions of the Antiquities, Etc., of North Knapdale.
1852
Rev. William Greenwell, Canon of Durham Cathedral, one of the best-known nineteenth century antiquarians, read a paper on the subject at the Achaeological Institute of Newcastle. The paper was lost and never published. Mr. J. Collingwood Bruce produced splendid lithographs on request of Algernon, the 4th Duke of Northumberland. He was helped by Mr. Mossman. These drawings are now in the library of Alnwick Castle.
Rev. William Greenwell, Canon of Durham Cathedral, one of the best-known nineteenth century antiquarians, read a paper on the subject at the Achaeological Institute of Newcastle. The paper was lost and never published. Mr. J. Collingwood Bruce produced splendid lithographs on request of Algernon, the 4th Duke of Northumberland. He was helped by Mr. Mossman. These drawings are now in the library of Alnwick Castle.
1853
George Tate read a paper to the Berwick Naturalists' Club. Mr John Collingwood Bruce was impressed with Mr. Tate's 'sagacity' and agreed that the carvings had 'a common origin, and indicate a symbolic meaning, representing some popular thought.'
George Tate read a paper to the Berwick Naturalists' Club. Mr John Collingwood Bruce was impressed with Mr. Tate's 'sagacity' and agreed that the carvings had 'a common origin, and indicate a symbolic meaning, representing some popular thought.'
1863
The Rev. Greenwell took up the theme again, this time with the Tynside Naturalists' Club, and told them that 'They differ from all other symbolised expressions with which we are acquainted, and seem peculiar to the Celtic tribes which once peopled all Western Europe.'
The Rev. Greenwell took up the theme again, this time with the Tynside Naturalists' Club, and told them that 'They differ from all other symbolised expressions with which we are acquainted, and seem peculiar to the Celtic tribes which once peopled all Western Europe.'
1864
Attention is moved to Lochgilphead area of Argyll, Scotland. Notices of the discovery of 'incised markings' in Scotland and Ireland appeared in the Journal of the Archaeological Institute.
Attention is moved to Lochgilphead area of Argyll, Scotland. Notices of the discovery of 'incised markings' in Scotland and Ireland appeared in the Journal of the Archaeological Institute.
1864
Mr George Tate read a great landmark paper to the Berwick Naturalists' Club at Bamburgh Castle. Of this the President remarked that the subject was 'in its infancy' and 'what we want, and what we have to wait long for, a key, like the famous Rosetta stone, will enable us to read and interpret these remarkable inscriptions, engraven so long ago upon Northumbrian rocks. Whatever may be their import, now so mysterious, they cannot fail to prove, when their meaning is discovered, of very high interest.'
Mr George Tate read a great landmark paper to the Berwick Naturalists' Club at Bamburgh Castle. Of this the President remarked that the subject was 'in its infancy' and 'what we want, and what we have to wait long for, a key, like the famous Rosetta stone, will enable us to read and interpret these remarkable inscriptions, engraven so long ago upon Northumbrian rocks. Whatever may be their import, now so mysterious, they cannot fail to prove, when their meaning is discovered, of very high interest.'
1865
Mr George Tate published 'Sculptured Rocks of Northumberland and the Eastern Borders. He recorded 53 'sculptured stones' with about 350 'figures' on them. Among his conclusions: 'the sculptures of Argyllshire are the same age, and the work of the same people, as those in Northumberland.'
Mr George Tate published 'Sculptured Rocks of Northumberland and the Eastern Borders. He recorded 53 'sculptured stones' with about 350 'figures' on them. Among his conclusions: 'the sculptures of Argyllshire are the same age, and the work of the same people, as those in Northumberland.'
Mr Tate's drawings of Gled Law, Northumberland
1867
Professor James Young Simpson of Edinburgh published not only the Scottish sites in his 'Achaic Sculpturings of Cups, Circles, Etc.', but also sites in England and other countries. The illustrations in his book were lithographs by Mr. Richie.
Professor James Young Simpson of Edinburgh published not only the Scottish sites in his 'Achaic Sculpturings of Cups, Circles, Etc.', but also sites in England and other countries. The illustrations in his book were lithographs by Mr. Richie.
1869
Mr John Collingwood Bruce published his 'Incised Markings on Stone Found In the County of Northumberland, Argyllshire and Other Places'
Plate 1, Roughting Linn, Northumberland, England (photo: Ian Hobson)
1882
Mr J. Romilly Allen compiled a list of cup marks in Scotland and published some interesting articles in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. After this the interest in rock art research left Britain for a while and blossomed in other part of Europe. There an interest grew in the way the art was distributed, its age, and typology.
1891Mr John Collingwood Bruce published his 'Incised Markings on Stone Found In the County of Northumberland, Argyllshire and Other Places'
Plate 1, Roughting Linn, Northumberland, England (photo: Ian Hobson)
Mr J. Romilly Allen compiled a list of cup marks in Scotland and published some interesting articles in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. After this the interest in rock art research left Britain for a while and blossomed in other part of Europe. There an interest grew in the way the art was distributed, its age, and typology.
Publication of "Archaic Rock Inscriptions" by A Reader with a note on an early mentioning of rock art:
1934
The Abbé Henri Breuil gave an important Presidential address to the Prehistoric Society of East Anglia. At this time an emphasis was placed on seeing rock art as some sort of representation of the humans. Breuil looked at the relationship between tombs and open-air rock art, and did not see them as different.
The Abbé Henri Breuil gave an important Presidential address to the Prehistoric Society of East Anglia. At this time an emphasis was placed on seeing rock art as some sort of representation of the humans. Breuil looked at the relationship between tombs and open-air rock art, and did not see them as different.
1957
O.G.S. Crawford published 'The Eye Goddess'.
O.G.S. Crawford published 'The Eye Goddess'.
1974
Evan Haddingham produced his accessible study of rock art: 'Ancient Carvings in Britain, A Mystery'
Evan Haddingham produced his accessible study of rock art: 'Ancient Carvings in Britain, A Mystery'
1977
Ronald W.B. Morris published 'The Prehistoric Rock Art of Argyll', introducing the phrase 'Rock Art', linking the abstract rock art of Great Britain to the worldwide rock art tradition.
Ronald W.B. Morris published 'The Prehistoric Rock Art of Argyll', introducing the phrase 'Rock Art', linking the abstract rock art of Great Britain to the worldwide rock art tradition.
1979
Ronald W.B. Morris published 'The Prehistoric Rock Art of Galloway & The Isle of Man', a much referred book and not only because of the famous 104 explanations for the motifs!
Ronald W.B. Morris published 'The Prehistoric Rock Art of Galloway & The Isle of Man', a much referred book and not only because of the famous 104 explanations for the motifs!
1980
Jean McMann published 'Riddles of the Stone Age', a great photographic contribution to the study of rock art. Different chapters for 'Passage-grave' and 'Cup-and-ring' art.
Jean McMann published 'Riddles of the Stone Age', a great photographic contribution to the study of rock art. Different chapters for 'Passage-grave' and 'Cup-and-ring' art.
1983
Stan Beckensall published 'Northumberland's Prehistoric Rock Carvings' with a preface by The Duke of Northumberland (see 1853!)
Stan Beckensall published 'Northumberland's Prehistoric Rock Carvings' with a preface by The Duke of Northumberland (see 1853!)
1986
Stan Beckensall published 'Rock Carvings of Northern Britain'. Published in the popular Shire Archaeology Series, this book is a great invitation to visit the rock art sites.
Stan Beckensall published 'Rock Carvings of Northern Britain'. Published in the popular Shire Archaeology Series, this book is a great invitation to visit the rock art sites.
1991-2
Stan Beckensall published 'Prehistoric Rock Motifs of Northumberland', Vol. 1 & 2. Two splendid fieldguides with photos, maps and beautiful drawings. These publications have brought the subject of rock art to the attention of many.
Stan Beckensall published 'Prehistoric Rock Motifs of Northumberland', Vol. 1 & 2. Two splendid fieldguides with photos, maps and beautiful drawings. These publications have brought the subject of rock art to the attention of many.
1997
Richard Bradley, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading, published his important study 'Rock Art and the Prehistory of Atlantic Europe', placing the abstract Rock Art tradition in a wider context and, even more important, giving the art her academic relevancy.
Richard Bradley, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading, published his important study 'Rock Art and the Prehistory of Atlantic Europe', placing the abstract Rock Art tradition in a wider context and, even more important, giving the art her academic relevancy.
1998
Stan Beckensall and Tim Laurie publish 'Prehistoric Rock Art of County Durham, Swaledale and Wensleydale'. Again an eye-catching volume.
Stan Beckensall and Tim Laurie publish 'Prehistoric Rock Art of County Durham, Swaledale and Wensleydale'. Again an eye-catching volume.
1999
Stan Beckensall's published: 'British Prehistoric Rock Art'. Very rightly subtitled 'The first extensive Guide to the Rock Art of Prehistoric Britain'
Stan Beckensall's published: 'British Prehistoric Rock Art'. Very rightly subtitled 'The first extensive Guide to the Rock Art of Prehistoric Britain'
From 2000 onwards
In June 2001 we introduced our modest (free) groups website 'Rock Art in the British Landscape', fully dedicated to the all the above mentioned people (and many others) who contributed so much to this fascinating subject.
Rock Art became popular, resulting in the interest of the media for the subject. On Sunday 16th March 2003, when Stan Beckensall and Aron Mazel appeared in the BBC series "Country File", the RABL web-address was showed afterwards. This sets an absolute record for the number of visitors on one day (288).
After the Millennium, a lot of popular rock art books were published. Most of them by Dr Stan Beckensall as can be seen on the "Chronology of British Rock Art Books " on the British Rock Art Collection.
These are just unevenly-spaced stepping stones through the history of Rock Art. There will be a page on the research efforts made through the years. What started with careful observations, counting, rubbings and drawings has now arrived in the era of digital processing. The question is: will we ever know what this was all about? Probably not! In the meantime we may enjoy these marks of an ancient art.
A Bibliographic Database on the web, fully dedicated to worldwide Rock Art Studies.
It is managed by The Bancroft Library of the University of California at Berkely: