About RAMP

The Research Project

The Rock Art Mobile Project (RAMP) was undertaken by the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies, at Newcastle University in 2010/11. It was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Newcastle University.

RAMP brings photographs, diagrams and commentaries about rock art directly to mobile phones in the Northumberland countryside. It builds on the resources developed as part of the Beckensall Northumberland Rock Art and the England’s Rock Art (ERA) databases.

RAMP focuses on three key rock art areas in Northumberland: Lordenshaw (near Rothbury), Weetwood and Dod Law (both near Wooler). These sites were chosen on the strength and diversity of their rock art, their accessibility and, crucially, their ability to withstand visitor numbers.

Development of the project

RAMP aims to enhance public engagement with rock art in Northumberland using mobile digital technology. We wish to add an extra dimension to the visitor experience and to bring rock art to new audiences through the use of mobile devices.

In our design process we involved rock art and/or countryside visitors from Northumberland and surrounding areas, who helped us to develop our design ideas, refine our prototypes and improve our understanding of the rock art visiting experience. We are grateful to those who have participated in our workshops.

Rock Art on Mobile Phones

The primary outcome of the RAMP is a Rock Art on Mobile Phones website with materials for each selected rock art area.

With the Rock Art on Mobile Phones mobile website we wanted to create a flexible, accessible mobile experience which has a good chance of standing the test of time. The mobile site has been tested on a range of devices, from desktop computers, high-end smart phones and lower specification feature phones.

Contact us

If you would like to contact us please email us at ramp@ncl.ac.uk.