Cup Stones, Cup-Marked Stones, or Cups and Rings

Abstract

THE interesting paper on “A Scottish Crannog” in NATURE, vol. xxii. p. 13, is illustrated on p. 16 by an engraving (Fig. 3) which exactly represents the “Cups and Rings” that have long excited the curiosity of anthropologists on Rombald's Moor, near Ilkley, West Yorkshire. These markings, which I have examined within the past week, are on detached flattish rocks of millstone grit, immediately to the south-west of the village of Ilkley, and near to what are known as the Panorama Rocks. On one piece of rock there are at least thirteen of the markings visible, and the rings or grooves round the central depression vary in numbers from one to six. Mr. Joseph Lund, of Overdale, Ilkley, who most politely guided me to the stones in question, also showed me, in his own garden, a large block of grit, bearing some of these markings, from each of which is a district channel cut to the edge of the rock. There have been many theories as to the significance of these markings. Has their use been yet ascertained?