Archaeology Notes

Event ID 727322

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/727322

NX55SW 2 51760 53890

(NX 5176 5389) Chambered Cairn (NR)

OS 6" map (1957).

For chambered cairn (Piggott and Powell Cairnholy I and Henshall KRK 3) situated uphill and to the N, at NX 51820 54045, see NX55SW 1.

(Piggott and Powell Cairnholy I). This Clyde-type chambered cairn is a conspicuous monument measuring axially 170' x 50', with a monumental cresentic facade and a ruined chamber. Excavated by Piggott and Powell, the forecourt blocking was found to cover hearths, a stone-hole, and western Neolithic sherds. The chamber is bipartite, the outer section contained a fragment of a jadeite ceremonial axe, probably attributable to the earliest burials, together with sherds of western Neolithic pottery and a leaf-shaped arrowhead. Late grave-goods comprised Peterborough and Beaker sherds and a plano-convex flint knife. The rear compartment, though robbed, contained a secondary cist, with food vessel sherds and a cup-and-ring carved stone.

Finds from the excavation are in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS Accession nos. EO 810-830).

Under guardianship.

S Piggott and T G E Powell 1951; R W Feachem 1963; J G Scott 1969; A D Henshall 1972, no. KRK 2.

As described and planned.

Resurveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (RD) 23 March 1972.

The jadeite axe (finds no. 563) is held in the Royal Museum of Scotland under accession number NMS EO 826.

T H McK Clough and W A Cummins 1988.