Archaeology Notes
Date - 1977
Event ID 697901
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/697901
NR89NW 4 8309 9847.
(NR 8309 9847) Cairn (NR)
OS 6" map, Argyllshire, 2nd ed., (1900)
The New Statistical Account notes 'urns' found in cairns in the Kilmartin Valley.
NSA 1845
The North Cairn, Nether Largie, was excavated by Craw in 1930. The cairn, which measured 71' x 67' x 8'9", covered a platform 46' x 44' enclosed by a bank 8' wide x 2' high externally, 1' above the platform, with an interval at the SE. The central cist, 5'2" x 2'5" x 1'10" contained ochre, charcoal, and a molar, with dark soil. There was also an oval grave containing dark soil, charcoal and an ox tooth. An upright stone under the cairn, now hidden, had two incised ovals on its W face. The N end-slab of the cist was sculptured with two flat axes, while the cover stone, a massive slab, 6'7" x 3'5" x 9" bore cup marks and axe carving. The stones removed by the excavators were built into a protective wall round the cairn.
J H Craw 1930; M Campbell and M Sandeman 1964
Generally as described. The cairn is enclosed by a railed fence and measures 20.0m in diameter. The cover stone of the cist bears 41 cup marks.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (IA) 26 April 1973
Nether Largie - North Cairn (DoE nameplate) is 2.6m high and is generally as described. A concrete inspection chamber has been built around the central cist, and the cairn has been rebuilt around this. Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (TRG) 15 February 1977
