The Ridge, Rocks and Springs:The Ridge, Rocks and Springs:

Graffiti and Rock-Art on Graffiti and Rock-Art on the Ridgethe Ridge

P.Winn 2015P.Winn 2015

Why study this?Why study this?

• It is an inscription of the social history of the Ridge

• Today’s graffiti is tomorrow’s rock art• We have found an example of pre-

historic rock art and want to see if we can find more.

Cup marks on a boulder found Cup marks on a boulder found at Eddisburyat Eddisbury

Cup marks in a cave in Cup marks in a cave in BotswanaBotswana

Recent studiesRecent studies

• Nash, George, 2010. “Graffiti-art: Can it hold the key to the placing of prehistoric rock art?” Time and Mind, .3:1, 41-62

• ERA: “England’s Rock Art”h

ttp://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/era/section/access.jsf

• Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey http://www.medieval-graffiti.co.uk/

Part One: The project brief

Part Two: Discussion about the significance

of graffiti and what we might learn about it

Project BriefProject Brief• Stage 1: a broad survey of the entire

Ridge, identifying locations where significant graffiti might exist.

• Graffiti attracts graffiti at “hot spots”• We are looking for sites of significant

density (how many inscriptions within one square metre?)

• We would also like to find: – Dates, names or inscriptions (i.e. longer than

simple initials) and pictorial and carved images

• Stage 2: a more detailed examination of selected sites

Tool marks near Maiden CastleTool marks near Maiden Castle

Panel at Urchin’s KitchenPanel at Urchin’s Kitchen

Urchin’s Kitchen: detailsUrchin’s Kitchen: details

Skulls in cave near Mad Allen’s Skulls in cave near Mad Allen’s HoleHole

Dating ProblemsDating Problems

• It may be possible to tell from the style of lettering whether the carving is of any great age, but carvers can often be deliberately misleading.

• Was John Lennon at Delamere?• “The Fitzball Hoax”

Recent visitors to the Old Recent visitors to the Old PalePale

Where to lookWhere to look

• We would like to survey the entire length of the Ridge but we should prioritise particular locations:– Rock outcrops close to known pre-

historic or historic sites (e.g. Hillforts)

– Quarries– Caves or rock overhangs– Sites with a high density of graffiti

Things to look out forThings to look out for• Don’t overlook the possibility of very large

scale images that stretch beyond the close-up field of vision

• Note the height of the images: are they out of arm’s reach or surprisingly low-down?

• Has the stone been worked (e.g. in a quarry) or is it natural?

• Is it sheltered from the weather or exposed?

• What else is significant about the location (a view, perhaps, or proximity to some other natural or man-made feature) ?

RecordingRecording• At Stage 1 we are simply looking for basic

information that can be entered on the General Survey Report Form.

• It is desirable to take photographs, in which case you will need the following equipment:– Digital camera– Scale– Lighting source (please experiment with torches

and different angles)

– A spray of water may help to enhance the carvings

CleaningCleaning• Any recording must be non-destructive. Do

not use any abrasive materials to clean the surface or try to re-carve, paint or chalk the engravings.

• However, if it is necessary to remove litter or vegetation that is obscuring the carvings use your hands and no more than an old toothbrush with the minimum of force.

• Where you think the carving may be very old do not try to remove lichens, moss or algae.

PrecautionsPrecautions

• The Sandstone Ridge Trust cannot take responsibility for your safety. Please do not take risks on rock faces. When the most significant sites have been identified at Stage 1 we will go on, in Stage 2, to explore selected ones in more detail with due attention to the necessary safety precautions.

• If you think there may be carvings on private property please get the permission of the landowner before viewing them.

• To avoid duplication, please let your area contact person know which locations you will be looking at.

Part Two: DiscussionPart Two: DiscussionCan we compare…

Modern city graffitiand

Graffiti on the Ridgewith

Ancient rock art ?

Ancient rock art in Northumberland Ancient rock art in Northumberland & Cheshire& Cheshire

Rock paintings in BotswanaRock paintings in Botswana

City GraffitiCity Graffiti

Graffiti on the RidgeGraffiti on the Ridge

Some points of comparison…

– where is it found?– what subjects are represented?– are specific events recorded?– how is the graffiti made and with what

tools?– what is the age and gender of the

artists? – how much time is committed to the

work?– how do different pieces relate to each

other at the same location?

Common purposes…

Decoration?Ideology?Therapy?

Fame?