| Rock carvings in western Yorkshire |
PATELEY BRIDGE
To the south-east of Pateley Bridge, on the higher ground over
looking the river Nidd valley, lay a group of 10 cup and ring
marked rocks. The carving shown here is one of the more
interesting and is located on top of a large free standing
boulder, nearby are several more carvings mostly consisting of
simple cup marks on outcrop rock.
THE FERTILITY STONE
This interestingly named stone is situated on a farm to the south-east
of Pateley Bridge. Its locations in common with many other carved
rocks in this region appears to have been chosen to allow
extensive views out over the surrounding country.
Although built into the base of a tumbled drystone wall it has
suffered greatly from erosion, and from the hoofs of passing
cattle as they use the gap in the wall as a gate way. It is
interesting to speculate that given the name of the carved rock
perhaps a superstitious cattle owner would want their stock to
cross the stone? (see Folklore and associated beliefs pages).
BRIMHAM ROCKS
Brimham rocks is the name given to a large isolated group of
fantastically weathered rock formations. Pillars of rock eroded
into unusual shapes have been given names such as the "dancing
bear", "the anvil" and "the Eagle".
It appears that these strangely shaped rocks have attracted
peoples attention for millennia - as shown by this very eroded
carving less than 300m west of Brimham rocks. (In the 1930's
another carved rock was also found nearby and later removed to
Leeds museum).