MHG4306 - Figurine - Ballachulish Moss
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- FINDSPOT (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
(Christison 1881) In November, 1880, a wooden human female figure was discovered during digging at Ballachulish Moss. It was lying face down at a depth of 4'3" below the subsoil (within the previous 30 years the area had been covered with peat to a depth of 6ft).
It was covered and surrounded by interwoven twigs and branches, suggesting that it may have been contained in a wattled hut, but these remains were too frail for thorough examination or preservation.
The figure (4'6" high), carved from oak, probably represents a Scandinavian deity, and the pedestal suggests that it may have been mounted in the prow of a galley. It is now in the NMAS.
R Christison 1881; J Stewart 1888; M E M Donaldson 1923.
Anne Ross, however, suggests that the figure is Celtic in origin, comparing it with several similar figures.
A Ross 1967.
No further information.
Visited by OS (R L) 6 May 1970.
Undated, but probably 1st century BC or earlier.
S Piggott 1970.
Radiocarbon date 540 + - 70bc (HAR - 6329). For comparable figure from Corlea, County Longford, Eire, see Times newscutting 20 December 1990.
Sources/Archives (6)
- --- SHG1315 Text/Publication/Article: Christison, R. 1881. 'On ancient wooden image, found in November last at Ballachulish Peat- Moss', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 15 1880-1, p.158-78. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 158-78. 158-78; map, illust..
- --- SHG1617 Text/Publication/Article: Stewart, J. 1888. 'The Ballachulish goddess', Trans Inverness Sci Soc Fld Club Vol. 2 1880-3, p.21-8. Trans Inverness Sci Soc Fld Club. 21-8. 21-8.
- --- SHG185 Text/Publication/Article: Coles, B. 1990. 'Anthropomorphic wooden figurines from Britain and Ireland', Proc Prehist Soc Vol. 56 1990, p.315-33. Proc Prehist Soc. 315-33. 320, 324, 325, 326, 328, 329, 331, 332.
- --- SHG2132 Text/Publication/Volume: Donaldson, M E M. 1923. Wanderings in the Western Highlands and Islands. 2nd, rev.. 272; illust.
- --- SHG2622 Text/Publication/Volume: Piggott, S. 1970. Early Celtic art: an exhibition organised by the Arts Council of Great Britain in association with the Edinburgh Festival Society 1970. 17, No. 82.
- --- SHG2740 Text/Publication/Volume: Ross, A. 1967. Pagan Celtic Britain. 35, 40; illust..
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NN 0559 6013 (4m by 4m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NN06SE |
| Civil Parish | KILMALLIE |
| Geographical Area | LOCHABER |
Finds (1)
- FIGURINE (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD) + Sci.Date
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (7)
- http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-100-000-617-C& (Link to NMS online collections database)
- http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-190-001-098-C& (Link to NMS online colections database)
- http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-190-001-099-C& (Link to NMS online collections database)
- http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-190-001-100-C& (Link to NMS online collections database)
- http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-190-001-101-C& (Link to NMS online collections database)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/23569 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
- https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-collections/stories/scottish-history-and-archaeology/ballachulish-figure/ (Link to online NMS article)
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