Important to consider a carved panel not as a discrete piece of prehistoric rock art, but to examine it in its archaeological, topographical and, even, geological context. Why is it here? What does it mean etc. We set task of producing a location sketch. Head scratching – disorientation. Developed method - application to many other projects

Method had to produce accurate results BUT it had to be within the capability of volunteers to deploy in the field AND use it had to use ‘appropriate’ technology rather than high technology. Google Earth (free), a handheld GPS, photo editing software

This is a Google Earth image of Burley Moor This is a Google Earth image of Burley Moor. There are two big problems with Google Earth. 1. It uses the latitude/longitude system of referencing – not the GB system. 2. It is an aerial view of a curving and undulating surface – it is not ‘map flat’. To solve those problems – first - 1km grid lines for orientation

And – thanks to the genius of one of the volunteers – we cover our chosen area with markers every 50m and with an accurate Ordnance Survey grid reference every 100m

In Google Earth - let’s zoom in to Stocks Hill on Burley Moor - note the blue diamond makers and grid references every 100m We save this image and open it up in Photoshop

Here it is in photoshop. We’ve deliberately selected a 100m area to include not just the carved panel but also a footpath and a field wall Note that the image is not ‘map square’ – photoshop will correct that very easily. With a couple more clicks, we are going to add a grid file and put the image on a field sheet

The grid overlay and field sheet template have been designed by the volunteers are stored on computer. We just type in the title, scale and grid corner reference

Drawing in the field in bad weather is a pain, so we transfer all clearly identifiable features from the GE image to an outline location sketch sheet. The team take both the Google Earth sheet and the outline sketch into the field with them. In many cases, all they have to do is verify the position of the carved rock

In the field, the first job is to apply a GPS correction In the field, the first job is to apply a GPS correction. (explain if time) - Fieldwalk - record relevant features not on the outline sketch – look out for potential archaeology. Transfer to sketch map

This is the final location sketch This is the final location sketch. --- It took less than hour to do in the field. It’s detailed. It’s surprisingly accurate. A method designed by volunteers for volunteers and a method which can be used by a whole range of community and school field projects

And..... A new panel was discovered

If anyone wants to know about the method in detail – contact me through Pennine Prospects and I am sure we can help Questions?