<that oil on Long Meg didn't accumulate over just a decade or so. It is there as a tangible fact - we can be certain that people have often and over a long period, traced the incised paths with their hands or fingers. People must have been tracing those spirals for a very long time....how long? If so there, why not elsewhere? Is there any evidence of such grease marks elsewhere - has anyone looked?>
Given the amount of gubbins that people put on their hands these days, could it not be just an accumulation of 3 decades worth of Oil of Olay & McDonalds chip fat ;-) I can't recall seeing a darkening on any other carving, but having said that, few carvings are as accessible to wandering fingers as Long Meg.
<What does seem to be unique here is the absence of contemporary figurative carvings>
Theres not many about, but heres 3 that immediately spring to mind & done in a true cup & ring styleeee, to boot. You'll need a bit of imagination with the West Agran one, but EH mention its 'stylised' human like form in its scheduling……
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/25219
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/42602
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/19147
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