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England's Rock Art

Newcastle University, Historic England, Northumberland County Council, Ilkley Archaeology Group, Durham County Council, 2021. https://doi.org/10.5284/1138794.

Whitton Burn 2a

ERA ID: 1233

Panel name	Whitton Burn 2a
ERA ID	1233
Beckensall ID	631
Panel type	Art in the landscape: boulder
Nature of access	Private owner
Current location	At original location
County	Northumberland
District	Alnwick
Parish	Whitton and Tosson
NGR	NU 06561 00146
Latitude	55.295344
Longitude	-1.896664
Bibliography	Prehistoric Rock Motifs of Northumberland, 2. Beckensall, S (1992a), Hexham: privately published Prehistoric Rock Art in Northumberland. Beckensall, S (2001b), Stroud: Tempus Publishing Ltd ’Prehistoric Section’, in Dodds, M H (ed) A History of Northumberland, volume Cowen, J D, Wake, T and Newbigin, E R (1940), 15. Newcastle upon Tyne: Andrew Reid and Company, Limited, 17-62 ’Notes on a series of unrecorded incised rocks at Lordenshaws’. Newbigin, E R (1932a), Archaeologia Aeliana 4th series 9, 50-67

NADRAP Notes

This is an almost square panel of stone lying flush with the ground. It is unknown for certain if this is a boulder or quarried stone as only the uppermost (decorated) face is visible and vegetation is tight around the edge. There is evidence of such quarrying of outcrop in the immediate area of this panel. However, this stone is of some archaeological interest; the panel bears two types of motifs. These are simple cup marks and cup and (single) ring marks. The cup and ring marks are also different to each other; one appears pecked and angular. The motifs are scattered across the surface. Whether or not this is a boulder quarried from the adjacent outcrop is uncertain. However, the panel is situated on or near the top of a broad ridge. This position gives good views in most directions - including much of the North Lordenshaw group 6 panels, on the opposite side of the Whitton stream. The other rock art panels called Whitton Burn are lower down to the north and west, nearer the valley sides, and are invisible from this panel. The two cups with rings are noted for their difference. The first appears complete and well formed The second looks more recent, more angular and rough inside, perhaps made by pecking (as opposed to smoothing). The other cups are uniform in size and well rounded; though one is elongated of 0.12m length, the others are about 0.10m diameter.

Beckensall Archive Notes

The Whitton Burn 2 area has been quarried, and the burial mounds reported by D.Dixon 'on a little plateau near this rock' have disappeared. Only one rock was described by Messrs. Parker Brewis and D.D.Dixon in The Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 3rd.Series, Vol. VII, p.41,

The exact nature of the motifs identified may differ with separate recording projects. The Beckensall Archive data is based on drawings, some made a number of years ago, whereas the NADRAP recordings reflect motifs currently visible in the field. The effects of weathering, of human and animal impacts and especially the presence of biological growths such as lichen, moss or turf may have resulted in motifs becoming obscured or, in some cases, revealed. Changes in lighting may also affect what is visible. Photogrammetry models now provide the most accurate record of the panel, but some details may have been lost over time; historical drawings therefore provide a valuable snapshot. Recent research also suggests that prehistoric people may have incorporated natural features into their carvings, sometimes enhancing them. This means that it is difficult to determine whether some features are natural or human made.

NADRAP Motif Details

Elements

Beckensall Archive Motif Details

Elements

Notes

The panel has two ringed cups and 12 others, with three small, faint ones.

Measurements

Orientation from	West
Orientation to	East
Orientation of slope (top)	South
Orientation of slope (bottom)	North
Slope (°)	6-10
Length (m)	1.49
Width (m)	1.3
Height (m)	0.25

Geology

Panel geology	Sedimentary
Surface topography	Sloping
Fissures/cracks present	No
Natural hollows	No
Visible bedding planes	Yes
Visible weathering channels	No
Grain size (μ)	Medium 250-500
Surface compactness	Friable
Visible components	Quartz

Location

NGR	NU 06561 00146
Latitude	55.295344
Longitude	-1.896664
OSGB method	GPS
County	Northumberland
District	Alnwick
Parish	Whitton and Tosson

Landscape context

Altitude (m)	154
Altitude method	GPS
Terrain	Sloping
Position	Middle (e.g. hillside)
Proximity to watercourse (m)	100
Underlying geology	Sedimentary
Land use	Impoved pasture

Archaeological context

Panel type	Art in the landscape: boulder
Current location	At original location
Prehistoric features	Rock art

NADRAP Notes

There is another rock art panel close by this panel (Whitton Burn 2b). There is also exposed bedrock through nearby quarrying, and running roughly parallel to this a field wall of earth and stone topped by a wire fence.

Management

The condition of rock art, and the nature of threats to its survival, can change rapidly with alterations to either the local environment, the use of the land, or the accessibility of the panel. NADRAP assessments were made during the period 2005 - 2008. See the help page for more information on assessments and management.

Assessment

0 = no impact/risk; 3 = significant impact/risk

Condition

Chemical and physical erosion	1
Biological coverage	2
Animal/human impacts	3
Overall Condition	Moderate

Risk

Chemical and physical risk	3
Biological risk	2
Animal/human risks	3
Overall Risk	Severe

View detailed Assessment Report

Assessment Report

Physical and Chemical

Condition	Carved Area	Exposed Area
Differential	None	< 1/3
Planar	None	None
Cratering/pitting	None	None
Burnt areas	None	None

Threat	Severity
Water flow	None
Water pool	Moderate
Prevailing weather	Severe

Biological

Condition	Carved Area	Exposed Area
Lichen (crustose)	1/3 - 2/3	1/3 - 2/3
Lichen (foliose)	< 1/3	< 1/3
Moss	None	< 1/3
Algae	None	None
Grass/turf	None	None
Other condition	None	None
Detritus	None	None

Threat	Severity
Lichen (crustose)	None
Lichen (foliose)	None
Moss	None
Algae	None
Tree canopy	None
Other threat	None
Detritus	None

Animal and Human

Condition	Carved Area	Exposed Area
Wear (rubbing/trampling)	1/3 - 2/3	1/3 - 2/3
Droppings (game/stock)	> 2/3	> 2/3
Quarrying	None	None
Chips or scratches	None	None
Graffiti (painted)	None	None
Graffiti (carved)	None	None
Plough/flail marks	None	None

Threat	Severity
Stock animals	Severe
Game animals	None
People	None
Land management	None
Other Human/Animal	None

Risk factors

Land use	Impoved pasture

Management factors

Distance to road (m)	150
Distance to bridleway (m)	250
Distance to footpath (m)	250
Distance to habitation (m)	700
Distance to parking (m)	150
Open access land	No
Subject to HLS stewardship scheme	No
Interpretation on site	No