Ilkley Moor: Rock Art, Cup & Ring Stones, Stone Circles

Ilkley Moor has one of the largest concentrations of rock art in the world - these date back over 5,000 years. Many are cup and ring stones, others could possibly be astrological. In this short film a number of these stones are visited - many are hard to find and best seen in low light at the end of the day. The film also includes stone circles: the 12 Apostles and the Horncliffe circle. There are also burial bounds (the Skirtful of Stones). The most well known is the Swastika Stone (then a symbol of good luck). The highest on the moor, the Badger Stone has the most carving - 95 in all. See our other films on Ikley Moor where the Haystack Stone is visited by a leading archaeologist and the hut circle - neither featured in this film.

[@clecklass]

When Fylingdales moor, in North Yorksire, was hit by fire and the heather burned away it was discovered that there were many more prehistoric carvings than were first thought. My guess is that there are many more carved stones yet to be discovered on Ilkley Moor - just climb up there and look at how many rock outcrops are covered in moss and heather; some of those must have carvings on them surely?
I find the hundreds of medieval boundary stones to be equally fascinating - inscriptions carved on them from the 18th century - these stones are neglected and overlooked in favour of the more enigmatic, pre-celtic carved stones.
I am proud to be part of the Kingdom of Elmet - but who were the people who were here before us?

[@MybitofHistory]

There's a clue to there meaning and purpose in that they are all located on the North Face of the moor. Pancake Stone is the key to the puzzle ;)

[@MybitofHistory]

Described the Great Skirtful of stones when in fact that was the Lesser Skirtful - which Mythology states were both created by the Giant Rombold's wife who would hurl large rocks at him for being so lazy - During such an onslaught - in flight for his life, Rombold clipped the Hanging cliff rock with the heel of his boot and knocked the calf from the cow ;)

[@TITAN0402]

I really would like to place a bet that some of those carvings are for agricultural planning/design....looking at it from a birds eye view my mind can easily see the design for swale system/place for water to collect and the flow across the land evenly distributed...they were using the land in the best way possible by living with instead of against

[@Ilkleyscot]

I have been coming to Ilkley moor since I was eleven, from Scotland fascinating place ,walked most paths except badger stone I think there are more to discover am sure.

[@aroundaboutyorkshire2776]

New film on Ilkley and Ilkley Moor coming 9/8/2020

[@lancemccaffrey8170]

Headed their next week to hopefully see as much rock art as possible. seeing if their a route online. Looking forward to it. Headed from Scotland also

[@Ilkleyscot]

@@lancemccaffrey8170 funny enough down in Cheshire this weekend it’s hard for us not to drop in to Ilkley

[@lancemccaffrey8170]

@@Ilkleyscot weather looking OK for exploration

[@Ilkleyscot]

@@lancemccaffrey8170 👍

[@georgejewitt-knott5213]

Wise up channel will give a better idea of what it is,petrified wood most probably.