Scotland's Rock Art Project (ScRAP)
Date 8 August 2018
Event ID 1118418
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Note
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1118418
Date Fieldwork Started: 08/08/2018
Compiled by: ScRAP
Location Notes: Motifs have been carved into a large outcrop of schist within undulating, grassy terrain in use as rough sheep grazing at the time of survey. Immediately to the west, approximately 10 m distance, the outcrop overlooks the main A816 road which runs through Kilmartin Glen from north to south. To the north-east of the panel, approximately 100 m distance, the Craigenterve Mohr farm house is clearly visible. Electricity cables, poles, and a fence run parallel to and sit between the outcrop and the road. The fields at this location are partially enclosed by steeply sloping hills (Creag Bhreac to the south, Am Barr to the east). To the east the entrance to the glen between these two hills, which follows the B 840 road, is visible.
The motifs on the outcrop have been designated as a scheduled monument and are considered of national importance.
Panel Notes: This large outcrop of rock is mostly flat, with a gently sloping area at the southern end. Perched above the southern end of the upper, flat surface of the outcrop is an upstanding, dome-shaped boulder. An area of just under 8 m long and 6 m wide was uncovered (although the motifs could continue further under the deeper turf) to reveal two areas of dense carvings. During the cleaning process, several small rounded stones and pieces of quartz were found across the carved surface. These were reburied, along with three pieces of a broken iron object (likely thought to be a broken ploughshare) recovered from the northern section of the panel, when re-covered after recording. The rusting iron pieces were removed from the surface of the outcrop to prevent any avoidable damage to the rock surface.
The panel is decorated with dense clusters of motifs which appear to overlie, compliment and sit within the natural, geological fissures across the surface of the outcrop. A total of 123 single cupmarks, five courgettes, six cup and single rings, two double cup marks, eight grooves (six of which are clustered together to make an unusual pattern), 1 cup and ring with a tail from the central cup, and two cup and rings with a tail from the ring were identified across the exposed area. The motifs are only found on the flat upper surface, and do not extend on to the sloped section at the southern end. The final count was taken from the photogrammetric model made from numerous photographs taken in the field. The outcrop was carefully recovered with turf and moss after recording was complete.
