A Song In Stone

Scotland’s Neolithic rock art comprises an outdoor gallery several thousand years old. This is part of a shared cultural heritage that can be found all along the Atlantic coastline of Europe.

Our learning resource has been developed in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and Kilmartin Museum. The booklet is packed with fresh ideas, stunning photography and great illustrations. The team drew on the work of leading archaeologists and rock art researchers to describe a time and tradition far removed from today.

The comprehensive resource is designed to provide background information and learning suggestions.  It will be of interest to teachers, archaeological educators and anyone with an interest in the presentation and interpretation of our ancient past. It provides a fresh take on a fascinating subject.

Like rings around a cupmark, the archaeology of Atlantic rock art is made of layers of evidence, analysis and interpretation. Each needs the others to make sense of the whole. Using advanced digital techniques our team were able to properly study and record rock art from several Scottish locations. This helped to enhance our understanding of this period in time.

By studying and thinking about how rock art connects both within itself and with the natural world, we can explore the cultural ideas and meanings behind the abstract motifs and beautiful designs.

The Neolithic rock art of Europe’s Atlantic coastline forms a distinctive cultural tradition. It is an ancient outdoor gallery shared between communities past and present. The repeating motifs were carved by many different hands over time. Each is an individual expression while part of a much greater whole.

This short, animated film emphasises the personal experience of carving rock art. It explores the senses of sight, of sound and of touch.

The film can be used in the classroom to introduce the topic and alongside the poem ‘cup and ring’ by Lindsay Macgregor.

The resource was developed in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and Kilmartin Museum as part of Scotland’s Rock Art Project.