Today marks the start of the 2026 CBA Festival of Archaeology, a UK wide celebration that allows people to participate in archaeology, explore stories of place, and connect with the environment around them.
This year’s theme of ‘Archaeology and Nature’ reveals how humans have lived with, shaped, and have been shaped by the environment around them. By exploring the past using the climate, geology, animals, plants, landscapes and the effect of nature on archaeological sites and buildings today, we can understand how places and communities evolve and develop.
One of the ways we will be celebrating this year’s festival is by creating a circular walk around Ilkley Moor, an area well known for its high concentration of Rock Art. Created by the Archaeology Data Service in collaboration with the Friends of Ilkley Moor, the resource also draws upon data from England’s Rock Art Project.
England’s Rock Art Project
Across northern England thousands of carved symbols can be found on rocks and boulders. Created by Neolithic and Bronze age people over four thousand years ago, their original purpose is still debated, making them one of the most interesting features of the landscape to study.
Despite being carved in stone, rock art across the UK is deteriorating due to both human and natural threats. Therefore the accurate recording of these features is key to better understand our prehistoric past.
England’s Rock Art Project (ERA) provides an important step towards this goal of ensuring rock art is preserved digitally for future generations to research, manage, and protect the landscape. The ERA dataset was originally created as part of the Northumberland and Durham Rock Art Pilot Project which was managed by Northumberland and Durham County Councils and funded by English Heritage. This dataset has now been made available through the Archaeology Data Service.
Ilkley Moor: England’s Rock Art Archive Walking Route
This self-guided walking route helps visitors of Ilkley Moor explore one of Britain’s richest prehistoric landscapes through a practical route guide and archaeological archives. During the 4.5 mile circular walk, visitors will be guided through the landscape with regular stops at points of interest. Many of these points of interest are accompanied by an ERA code which links to their archive within England’s Rock Art Project, providing more information about that site. Alongside the route, the guide provides an introduction to the history and archaeology of the moor. Walkers will also discover the fascinating world of prehistoric rock art, including guidance on identifying carved motifs and an overview of the archaeological theories surrounding their creation and purpose.
The Walking route is available via the Festival of Archaeology 2026 Resource Page or alternatively can be found below:
