Archaeology Notes

Event ID 678306

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/678306

NN82SE 26 8816 2417.

(NN 8816 2417) Cairn Circle (NR)

OS 6" map (1959)

Described as a cairn circle (OS 6" map annotated by O G S Crawford, 9 June 1936) or a stone circle (R W Feachem 1963); referred by the excavators to the last stage of Callander's typology of Megalithic monuments where the cairn is dispensed with and only the circle is left (J G Callander 1928).

Before the excavation of 1938 nine stones formed a rough circle of 17ft diameter defined by a slight grassy ridge (F R Coles 1911), the highest showing little more than 2ft above the turf. Two of the stones (A and B on plan) were found not to be part of the original work and another was carved with deep cups and connecting channels. A cup and ring marked outlier was connected to the circle by a causeway. A rudimentary cist placed eccentrically within the circle contained burnt bone and fragments of quartz. No evidence of a ditch was found.

Two fragments of Old Keig ware were thought by the excavators to date the site to the Iron Age with a native late Bronze Age tradition. This should perhaps be treated with reserve. At the recumbent stone circle of Old Keig the original report (V G Childe 1934) reached a similar conclusion which Childe (1938) later revised in view of the excavations at Loanhead of Daviot where Beaker sherds were found.

A Young and M C Mitchell 1939

Generally as described above although stones A and B have been removed. In addition to the outlier, nine stones still stand, but most of the numerous small stones shown in the plan are no longer evident.

Resurveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (RD) 12 December 1966