Rock art, Magheranaul, Co. Donegal

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Settlement Sites

Rock art, Magheranaul, Co. Donegal

In a grass field near Magheranaul, County Donegal, about 100 metres north-northwest of another archaeological site known as DON 26, lies a significant rock outcrop bearing ancient carvings.

The site sits just west of a track leading to DON 28, positioned on a subtle ridge near the middle of the field, close to its western edge. The rock face, which slopes downward at roughly 10 degrees to the south-southeast, contains a collection of prehistoric cup and ring marks that have weathered thousands of years on this exposed Irish hillside.

The most prominent feature is a large cupmark measuring 15 centimetres across, encircled by a faint single ring that appears to have a gap opening towards the southeast. Two smaller cup marks nearby also show traces of single rings surrounding them. The rock's surface reveals additional markings including two oval-shaped cups, six possible miniature cups, and several indistinct grooves carved into the stone. The rough texture of the rock surface makes it challenging to discern the exact patterns and full extent of these ancient inscriptions.

This site was documented by researcher Van Hoek in 1987, who noted the difficulty in interpreting the complete design due to the rock's uneven surface. Like many examples of Irish rock art, these cup and ring marks likely date to the Bronze Age, though their exact purpose remains a mystery. They may have served ritual, territorial, or astronomical functions; or perhaps they held meanings we can no longer decipher. The compilation of this site's details by Caimin O'Brien in 2010 ensures that this subtle but significant piece of Ireland's prehistoric heritage remains part of the archaeological record.

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