91Èȱ¬

Carved Standing Stone

Contributed by Kilmartin

Carved Standing Stone

This carved stone, although found in a burial cairn in Kilmartin Glen, probably long predates its use as a grave marker. It is decorated with circles characteristic of the cup and ring markings commonly made by prehistoric artists. Indeed it is in itself only a small part of a huge network of standing stones and stone carvings in the area. Far predating most local artefacts to have survived the effects of time, these monuments would have been ancient even to the first to use metal in the area. Whilst the exact function of these cairns, stone circles and markings is even more mysterious now, they give a compelling hint at a rich and diverse prehistoric culture, marking the attempts of our earliest ancestors to make sense of the world around them. Essentially, they are evidence of a complex form of civilisation, prepared to put great effort into ritual, art and the veneration of the dead.

This object has kindly been loaned to Kilmartin House Museum by the National Museums of Scotland.

Comments are closed for this object

Share this link:

Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the 91Èȱ¬ or the British Museum. The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.

About this object

Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline

Location

Kilmartin Glen, Argyll

Culture
Period
Theme
Size
Material

View more objects from people in Glasgow and West of Scotland.

Find out more

Podcast

91Èȱ¬ iD

91Èȱ¬ navigation

91Èȱ¬ © 2014 The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.