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MHG63214 - Cup-marked stone - Kirkhill North

Summary

A cup-marked stone found during an evaluation by AOC Archaeology Group in Kirkhill in 2021.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A cup-marked stone, found during an evaluation by AOC Archaeology Group in Kirkhill in 2021 in advance of a proposed housing development.

During the machine excavation of Trench 12, a glacial erratic boulder was encountered c. 25m from the southern end of the trench. This large block, c. 1m in most dimensions, was removed by the machine as it sat half in/half out of the limit of excavation. It had originally been bedded up to 0.4 m into the natural. The stone was covered in at least 16 cupmarks both in clusters and individually across the upper face of the stone. It had been completely buried and was encountered at a depth of c. 0.2 – 0.3m below the modern surface where the topsoil was c. 1.2m deep. The presence of the cup-marks suggested a potential Bronze or Neolithic Age date for the carvings.

Due to its substantial nature and considerable size, it was left on the site in a secure area. It was recommended that it be left on site to be safeguarded by the client/developer for later incorporation into the landscape. This would also allow for future archaeological research on the carvings. <1>

This panel was recorded as a follow up to ScRAP (Scotland’s Rock Art project) by members of NoSAS in August 2022.

Kirkhill North: The panel was discovered by AOC when undertaking an archaeological evaluation ahead of a proposed housing development at Kirkhill. The panel was found ‘completely buried at a depth of c. 0.2 – 0.3m below the modern surface’ at approximately 75m from the north end of trench 12, ie approximately NH 5593 4580, at an elevation of about 30m, on a ridge sloping east towards the Beauly Firth. It was moved into the site compound and when recorded on 3 August 2022 was at NH 55839 45717. Housing development has since continued at the site. The panel is a large boulder of gneiss 1.4m x 1.3m x 1.0m high. There are 9 simple cups on the upper surface. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 5593 4580 (10m by 10m)
Map sheet	NH54NE
Civil Parish	KIRKHILL
Geographical Area	INVERNESS

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