Ford Westfield b (May 2006)

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A Carved Rock Uncovered Near Ford, Northumberland, Sheds Light on Ancient Practices During an excavation near the town of Ford in Northumberland, archaeologists stumbled upon a significant discovery: a carved rock that has provided valuable insights into the lives of our ancestors. The rock was carefully relocated to the esteemed Museum of Antiquities (now known as the Great North Museum: Hancock) in Newcastle, where it is documented under the reference "Ford Westfield b" within the Beckensall Archive (BA). Careful examination of the stone reveals a distinct edge profile, with one side curved and the other flat. The intricate design features three concentric rings surrounding a central cup, from which an incomplete groove emerges. This deliberate placement of motifs suggests that the rock was deliberately selected for its suitability, rather than being an outcropping onto which carvings were added. The presence of pick markings on the figure indicates that it was carved without any attempt to smooth out the grooves, revealing a sense of urgency or haste in the creation process. Furthermore, the freshness of the motifs implies that a cover had been placed over cremation burials with intention and deliberation. Notably, the beginnings of a fourth groove are visible on the rock's surface, hinting at an incomplete sequence of carvings that may have been left unfinished. This intriguing find has sparked further investigation into the history and significance of this ancient artifact. The digital model of the carved surface was created using imagery captured by NADRAP Team 2 in May 2006, which forms part of the NADRAP archive deposited with Historic England and the Northumberland County Council (NCC).