The Rock Art Code

Always:

• leave the carved rocks and other archaeological features as you find them
• seek permission to visit sites that are not on publicly accessible land from the relevant owner or manager
• respect the environment and follow the Countryside Code

Never:

• remove turf from buried rock art panels (the freshly exposed surface will be especially vulnerable to erosive processes)
• remove lichen from rock art panels (you may remove part of the rock surface and the tiny root fissures left behind will fill with water and be susceptible to freeze-thaw erosion, weakening the surface matrix)
• attempt to remove graffiti, chalk, or any anything else on the rock
• use any substances (including water) to 'clean' rock surfaces
• use brushes with stiff bristles (plastic or wire) to clean the rock (if you wish to remove leaf detritus or animal droppings from the carvings for your photographs then use a soft brush)
• use any metal tool (e.g. a trowel) to 'clean' the carvings
• add chalk or enhance the carvings using any other substance (this may interfere with accurate dating of the surface)
• undertake any recording technique that involves direct and/or repeated contact with the surface (e.g. wax rubbing)
• scratch your name or messages on or close to the carved panels
• walk or drive over carved panels
• make fires close to rock carvings
• light candles on the carved panels
• use sticky tape or other adhesives to fix scales to the rock

The Rock Art Code was developed by the Northumberland and Durham Rock Art Project (NADRAP) to guide people on how to behave at places with rock art. You can also find the Rock Art Code on England's Rock Art website.