Why are the motifs recorded by the NADRAP Project different to those in the Beckensall Archive?
The exact nature of the motifs identified may differ with separate recording projects. The Beckensall Archive motif categorisation is based on drawings – some made a number of years ago, whereas the NADRAP recordings reflect motifs visible in the field at the time of recording between 2005 and 2008. The effects of weathering, of human and animal impacts and especially the presence of biological growths such as lichen, moss or turf may have resulted in motifs becoming obscured or, in some cases, revealed. Changes in lighting may also affect what is visible. Recent research also suggests that prehistoric people may have incorporated natural features into their carvings, sometimes enhancing them. This means that in many cases it is difficult to determine whether some features are natural or human made, and some subjectivity may be reflected in the assessments made. Photogrammetry models now provide the most accurate record of the panel, but some details may have been lost over time; histo
