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WEETWOOD MOOR - NORTHUMBERLAND ROCK ART CARVINGS
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The name Weetwood means, the 'wet wood'. Weetwood Moor is located near Weetwood Hall, Wooler.
A horizontal, relatively smooth outcrop has been selected for rock art motifs of high quality. Weetwood 3A has natural cracks from north to south, and when the rock is viewed from the south, they help to draw the eye in that direction. The rock is also crossed from east to west by a serpentine groove that links the cups of the most southerly figures, and two other figures project grooves away from their central cups to the east.
To the south west is a separate motif; a cup at the centre of two complete rings. To the south east, a series of three connected motifs begins with a cup and duct and five penannulars. The duct runs on to join the outer circle of a cup, ring and three penannulars, the duct from the cup in this case aligned eastward towards a cup.
A faint linking groove from the outside penannular touches the outer ring of the largest figure: a large cup with five penannulars which flatten out at the bottom. A serpentine groove from the central cup bends to the west to reach the central ring around a cup, with three penannulars outside that ring.
To the east of the largest figure is a small cup with a duct running south east, and two penannulars. This is a very well-executed design, and although it has been exposed for at least 100 years, the pick markings are clear. There is a strong sense of fluidity, of inter-connection, in the arrangement of the motifs, and to the modern eye it is impressive.
The ultimate rock art site of Weetwood Moor lies within a small coniferous wood. This woodland was not here at the time of carving but the present effect of dappled sunlight is very dramatic.
WEETWOOD MOOR
Dr Aron Mazel
The British Isles Prehistory Archive
