Prehistoric Rock Art In Northumberland

Northumberland is the most prolific, varied and important area of rock-art in Britain. This book, which includes every known site, relates the art to its landscape and monumental setting. This work follows naturally from the author's general work on rock art, British Prehistoric Rock Art and his recent widely acclaimed book Northumberland: Power of Place.

In this latest book the prolific Stan Beckensall returns to his principal specialism, Britains prehistoric rock art.

This comprehensive work takes a broad view of what rock art entails, covering the history of rock art research and the discovery of many new sites. The author illustrates the different symbols and motifs that are found throughout the British Isles, and shows where they occur in landscapes and monuments. It is a book that captures the excitement of discovery and examines the various theories about the origin, use and meaning of rock art. Stan Beckensall also explains the problems of accurate conservation, recording, and display.

Many exciting discoveries of prehistoric rock art have been made recently in Cumbria. They are included in this complete account of the earliest human communication, some 4-5000 years ago on outcrop rock, earthfast boulders, burials and other ritual structures. They are in some of Britain's most beautiful places. Professor Richard Bradley writes: "This book captures beautifully Stan's feeling for the countryside and flair for this kind of research. It is the work of a born teacher, who wishes to share his knowledge and enjoyment with other people. What he says is important, and how he says it is important too. Like the carvings he has done so much to publicise, this book is accessible to everyone." It follows his complete survey of Northumberland rock art, which Christopher Chippindale, of Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology described as "a first-rate book . . . written from Stan Beckensall's great knowledge with an inviting charm, splendidly illustrated with his photographs and drawings, well produced in a manageable size."

Stan Beckensall is renowned for his work, done on an entirely amateur basis, discovering, recording and interpreting Atlantic rock art in his home county of Northumberland and beyond. Presented on his 90th birthday, this diverse and stimulating collection of papers celebrates his crucial contribution to rock art studies, and looks to the future.

Enigmatic, esoteric and fascinating, the rock-art of the British Isles has for a long time been a well-kept secret. This volume brings together a carefully selected collection of papers reporting on recent discoveries and regional surveys covering British prehistoric rock-art from over 10,000 years ago.