MHG5316 - Neolithic chambered cairn - Glebe, Strath
Summary
A Neolithic chambered cairn at Glebe, Strath, Skye.
Type and Period (1)
- CHAMBERED CAIRN (Neolithic - 3494 BC to 3104 BC) + Sci.Date
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
A Neolithic chambered cairn with forecourt, previously thought to be a chambered cairn with a cist.
A rectangular setting of upright stones, c 2.5m by 1.65m, orientated NE-SW may be the remains of a cist. About 3m SW is a large flat stone, c 2m by 1.3m, possibly the capstone, set in the ruins of a dyke. <1>
There is nothing visible at the former location (NGR 161700 820400 of what was believed in 1979 to be a cist (<1>) on any available aerial photographs. However, this feature exactly as described lies 166m to the east of the previously recorded position [IS-L 23/07/2020].
Excavations were carried out by G Kozikowski and recorded by M Wildgoose in three season between 2015 and 2018. The third and last season of work on the very disturbed Neolithic chambered cairn (and adjacent sub-circular enclosure to the southwest -see MHG6563), first opened c.1902, probably by workers from the nearby marble quarry, was undertaken 22 May-30 November 2018. Two intact bone deposits, one primary and one secondary, were recovered, plus related artefacts including four leaf-shaped arrowheads, large 'monster' jet bead, large marine ivory bead, flint scraper, limpet shell necklet and sherds of carinated pottery. A quantity of redeposited human bone was also recovered during the excavations. <2>
8 DNA samples from human teeth were included in the 'A summary round-up list of Scottish archaeological human remains that have been sampled/analysed for DNA as of January 2019', available online through DES. A radiocarbon date from one sample was also obtained, producing a Neolithic date of 3494-3104 BC, calibrated to 2 sigma. <3>
Human remains from the site are within NMS collections. Described as from an unusual Neolithic funerary monument, a low chamber formerly covered by a mound. It is possibly an atypical chambered tomb. <4>
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SHG1552 Text/Publication/Article: Davies, J. 1979. 'Strath parish, cist possible', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1979, p.18. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 18. 18.
- <2> SHG28579 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Wildgoose, M & Kozikowski, G.. 2018. Strath Glebe: Isle of Skye: The Excavation of a Rectangular Stone Setting on Strath Glebe Farm 2015-18: Data Structure Report. Phoenix Archaeology. 23/07/2020. Digital.
- <3> SHG28225 Text/Publication/Article: Sheridan. A, et al (25 others). 2018. A summary round-up list of Scottish archaeological human remains that have been sampled/analysed for DNA as of January 2019, Discovery Excav Scot, New Series, Volume 18. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 1-23. Online. pp.8-9.
- <4> SHG28455 Dataset/Database File: 2020. Database of Human Remains in Museum Collections from Highland Area. NMS, IMAG & Marishal College. Digital.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NG 6186 2037 (11m by 11m) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NG62SW |
| Geographical Area | SKYE AND LOCHALSH |
| Civil Parish | STRATH |
Finds (1)
- HUMAN REMAINS (Neolithic - 3494 BC to 3104 BC)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/11599 (View HES Canmore entry for this site)
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