Auckhorn
Cinerary Urn(S)
Site Name Auckhorn
Classification Cinerary Urn(S)
Canmore ID 9133
Site Number ND35NW 7
NGR ND 327 598
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/9133
- Council Highland
- Parish Wick
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND356NW 7 327 598.
Two sandstone vessels, one within the other, were ploughed up on Aucorn farm (Auckhorn: ND 327 598) and donated to the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS) by A H Rhind in 1853 (Accession nos: EK 14 & EK 15). The larger vessel, flat-bottomed and with a handle at each end, measures 15" x 9 1/2", while the other is 8 1/2" x 6". The smaller vessel had a stone lid which was thrown away, as were its unexamined contents. They were possibly associated with a cremation burial.
Urns of this type, of steatite and sandstone, have only been gound in the extreme north of Scotland. They always contain burnt bones and are therefore cinerary in character. Similar urns of steatite of the later Iron Age, or early Viking period, are common in Norway (NMAS 1892).
Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1855; J Anderson 1875; NMAS 1892.
No further information.
Visited by OS (A A) 8 March 1972.
