MHG4901 - Rubh an Dunain, chambered cairn
Summary
A Hebridean-type round chambered cairn with a polygonal chamber, antechamber and short passage. The cairn was partially excavated in 1931-2.
Type and Period (1)
- CHAMBERED ROUND CAIRN (Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 551 BC)
Protected Status
Full Description
NG31NE 2 3934 1636.
(NG 3934 1636) Chambered Cairn (NR)
OS 6" map, (1965)
A Hebridean type round cairn with a polygonal chamber with antichamber and short passage, excavated by Scott in 1931-2 and left open.
The cairn, of large rounded stones, has a diameter of 62' to 66' and now stands 11' in maximum height. The S side has been heavily robbed, the peristalith and façade on this side being almost entirely destroyed. Where undisturbed, the cairn is covered with turf and heather.
The peristalith, revealed in a number of cuttings, consists of orthostats set 3' to 4' apart and linked with walling. The cairn material extends some 9' beyond the peristalith.
The forecourt is V-shaped in plan and measures about 24' across by 10' deep. Five feet in front of the entrance, there are two slabs lying at right angles to the main axis, the larger being wedged up to give a horizontal surface.
Finds, most of which are in the NMAS, included an N.4 beaker (EO 382), and from beneath an orthostat of the chamber, a possibly human foundation deposit.
W L Scott 1932; 1934; D L Clarke 1970; A S Henshall 1972. <1>-<4>
Thumbnail photo by J Duberley, 23/07/02.
This is an impressive cairn, with the entrance passage and central chamber accessible showing the high quality of the construction. However Lindsey Scott's excavations were clearly left open and the forecourt seems to have been partly obscured by his spoil heaps. A trench seems to have been opened into the cairn from the west and the roof of the central chamber removed. There has been some collapse of the entrance area but it now appears to be stable.
Flint scrapers; Beaker; Pottery sherds found in Lindsey Scott's excavations now included in this record and separate record deleted.
JW visited in the company of M.Wildgoose, S.Birch and M.Carmichael on 30/5/02.
Neolithic pottery was found in the excavated forecourt, so Period should also be Neolithic. <5>
Listed in the NMS catalogue from this site are two flint scrapers (Acc. Nos. EO 383 & EO 384), two sherds of pottery (EO 380 & EO 381) and a restored Beaker (EO 382). <6>
Sources/Archives (11)
- --- SHG15143 Image/Photograph(s): An Rath Chruineach. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG22762 Text/Publication/Volume: Armit, I. 1996. The Archaeology of Skye and the Western Isles 1996. Armit, I Edinburgh University Press.. Paper (Original). pp. 72-4.
- --- SHG23680 Verbal Communication: Wood, J. Comments by John Wood, Senior HC Archaeologist.
- --- SHG2656 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1928. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Ninth report with inventory of monuments and constructions in the Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles. .
- --- SHG2708 Text/Publication/Volume: Ritchie and Harman, J N G and M. 1985. Exploring Scotland's heritage: Argyll and the Western Isles. 153-4, no. 90.
- <1> SHG1457 Text/Publication/Article: Scott, W L. 1932. 'Rudh' an Dunain chambered cairn, Skye', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 66 1931-2, p.183-213. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 183-213. 183-213.
- <2> SHG782 Text/Publication/Article: Scott, W L. 1934. 'External features of Rudh' an Dunain chambered cairn', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 68 1933-4, p.194-9. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 194-9. 194-9; plan, illust.
- <3> SHG2051 Text/Publication/Volume: Clarke, D L. 1970. Beaker pottery of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 2, 518, No. 1675.
- <4> SHG358 Text/Publication/Monograph: Henshall, A S. 1972. The chambered tombs of Scotland, Volume 2. 2. Paper (Original).
- <5> SHG25668 Collection/Project Archive: Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH). 2012. Digital site gazetteer and archive for ARCH Community Timeline Project: Broadford. Yes. Digital. Site 10.
- <6> SHG28278 Dataset/Database File: National Museums Scotland. 2019. Highland Finds from the NMS Catalogue. National Museums Scotland. Digital. EO 380- EO 384.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NG 3933 1636 (23m by 23m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NG31NE |
| Geographical Area | SKYE AND LOCHALSH |
| Civil Parish | BRACADALE |
Finds (3)
- SHERD (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2401 BC)
- BEAKER (Bronze Age - 2400 BC to 551 BC)
- SCRAPER (TOOL) (Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC? to 551 BC?)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (2)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM901 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/11022 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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