Volunteer rock carving investigators have recorded the fine details of more than 200 ancient carved stones on Rombalds Moor – but hope to unearth the secrets of up to 300 more.

They began their fieldwork on the moor in October, recording the Neolithic and Bronze Age carvings and their location on the moorland, including parts of Ilkley Moor and Baildon Moor.

Since it began, the dedicated volunteers have found a number of previously unrecorded carved stones, providing a direct link to people who lived on the moor up to 5,000 years ago.

The CSI (Carved Stone Investigation) Rombalds Moor study will see the information gathered stored in a database, using the latest computer technology to created detailed 3D surface models.

One of the volunteers, retired science teacher, Peter Butler, said: “This winter we’ve been working against the clock as a number of these carvings are on moorland used for grouse breeding so we had to finish those before the start of the breeding season at the end of March.

“We’ve already recorded 200 stones out of around 400 to 500 that we aim to record by the end of the project.”

The recording, including a written report for each stone, will provide a benchmark that will enable future surveys to determine the extent and rate of any deterioration, from weathering, the destructive effects of vegetation, human and animal impact, and climate change.

The CSI project has been developed as part of the Watershed Landscape, managed by rural regeneration company Pennine Prospects, which aims to link people of the South Pennines with their historic environment.

The volunteers are also looking towards putting their training to further good use after the CSI project ends in March 2013.

Mr Butler said they would be interested in investigating and making recordings on carved stones on the uplands on the north side of the River Wharfe.