SEPTEMBER 4th - 6th 2026
A two-day event discussing and investigating new discoveries and interpretations of ancient art globally, with leading researchers.
The Event
This year, BIRAG will have an optional 'social evening’ the night before the main event.
Friday Sept 4th
Dusk Social
7pm, meet at The Boat Inn, Cromford for drinks and social.
Saturday Sept 5th
Talks and Discussion Day
10am start at Cromford Canal Gothic Warehouse for a day of talks and discussion
See the line up below
Sunday Sept 6th
Field Trip All Day
Meet up at 10am at Cromford Canal Gothic Warehouse. We will car-share to the rock art locations, it will be a 25min drive.
Field trip day to surrounding rock art sites with guided talks and exploration
(please come prepared for all weather and to walk on rough ground)
The Location
BIRAG 2026 will take place in Cromford, Derbyshire at the grade II listed Gothic Warehouse on Cromford canal.
You can read about the history of this 232 year old building here.
Google Maps
10:00am
10:00 - 10:35
10:35 - 11:00
11:00 - 11:25
11:25 – 11:50
11:50 – 12:15
12:15 – 12:40
12.40 - 14:00
14:00 - 14.25
14:25 – 14:50
14:50 - 15:25
14:50 - 15:25
15:50 - 16:15
16:15 - 16:40
16:40 - 17:10
Line Up
Welcome
Star of the moors: A tribute to Stan Beckensall (1932-2025)
Beyond the cup-and-ring mark: recently identified features and motifs (other than cup-and-ring marks) in Irish openair megalithic-era petroglyphs
Cuilcagh Mountain - proving the incredible
The Protection and Management of Rock Art: A Scottish Perspective
Feldom scene. Explorations in a little-known North Pennines rock art landscape
Using geospatial techniques in the dark: Preliminary investigations in Thor’s Cave, Derbyshire
Aron Mazel and George Nash
Aron Mazel
Aoibheann Lambe
Coffee break
The Lost Stones of Strath Tay:
community rock art excavation
Gabriel Burns
Tertia Barnett
Nicki Hall
Paul Frodsham & Richard Stroud
Lunch
Return to the Lakes, Year 1: Knocking on Doors
The Hills Have Eyes: Rock-Art and the Prehistory of Sheffield's Upland Hinterland
Coffee break
The Contextual Placement of Fluteplayers and Flutes: a Comparative Analysis between Rock Art Imagery and Artefact in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico
Discussion & Conclusion
Kate Sharpe
Tim Cockrell
George Nash, Andy Beardsley & Anna Clark
Chalotte Vendome-Gardner
NOTE: there are 3 cafes on-site for refreshments and lunch
Reserve Your Spot
We have a capacity of 50 attendees at this year’s event.
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email.
Please note, payment of £15 will be taken at the door.