MHG3562 - Cup Marked Stone - Tordarroch (1)

Summary

A cup marked stone at Tordarroch.

Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

NH63SE 16 6790 3363.

A block of grey gneiss bearing fifty-eight cup marks some with connecting or radiating grooves, was discovered by Mr. Hugh Ross, teacher at Farr Public School. The stone lies flat, partly imbedded, in a knoll about 150 yards north of Tordarroch stone circle (NH63SE 3) and close to the footpath to Tordarroch Forest.
W Jolly 1882.

The stone described above was located on top of a knoll at NH 6790 3363. The stone measures 1.7m x 1.7m and is exposed to a height of 0.6m. on the west side.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (W D J) 10 October 1963.

Surveyed in 1989 as part of a survey of lands around Tardarroch, Daviot and Dunlichty to identify and map archaeological monuments threatened by the proposed afforestation scheme. See report. <1>

This stone, in an improved field, measures 1.5m square and 0.5m in height. On its surface there are four cups measuring up to 100mm in diameter and 25mm in depth. Numerous other surface irregularities may be of natural origin.
Visited by RCAHMS (SDB) 5 November 1992.

This panel was recorded as part of the ScRAP (Scotland’s Rock Art project) by members of NoSAS in November 2018. The panel is the main outcrop at the top of rounded grassy knoll, surrounded by scattered boulders. It has open views along Strath Nairn to the northeast, and more restricted views due to gently sloping higher ground to the southwest. The river Nairn meanders along the valley floor about 150m to the NW. The panel is about 70m southwest of a modern agricultural shed and about 70m northeast of a major power line. The information for SM11558 mentions a second panel about 11m east, not recorded in Canmore and yet to be located. Tordarroch Cairn (Canmore 13211, ScRAP 1329) includes a cup marked panel and is about 200m to the southeast on lower ground.

The panel is a low outcrop, rectangular and 2.5m x 2.2m, with almost vertical edges 0.4 to 0.6m high on the north and west edges, and sloping gently to the south under the turf to the south and east. It is a medium to coarse grained gneiss, with visible inclusions of quartz. There are 31 simple cups, 8 along or near to the north edge, the others in scattered groups. Five of the cups near the centre of the panel are slightly larger and deeper than the others. <2>

NGR adjusted based on 2020 vertical aerial photographs. <3>

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