GOATHLAND - Allan Tofts.

A large sandstone boulder (1.5m x1m) of Prehistoric Rock Art has recently been discovered to the West of the present recorded sites.  The site is situated on a level shelf above old quarry workings amongst an area of stone heaps and small structures thought to be of possible medieval origin.  The boulder, mostly covered in vegetation was possibly overlooked in previous surveys.

Motifs were revealed after folding back a layer of vegetation.  They consist of at least 26 cups with linking grooves some following the slope of the rock others forming a grid pattern these grooves are in pristine condition, being protected by the vegetation.  Only the top cups have been exposed, these are now covered in overlaying heather.

  Its design has parallels in its tradition with other motifs found within the Snook Bank area of Northumberland, Barningham and Gayles Moors in Teesdale where many rocks exhibit linked cups and grooves.   

Paul Brown 2002