Cairnholy: Difference between revisions
→Cairnholy I: Added Wiki link |
m Moving Category:Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Dumfries and Galloway to Category:Scheduled monuments in Dumfries and Galloway per Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|Archaeological site in Scotland}} |
{{short description|Archaeological site in Scotland}} |
||
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
|||
{{Coord|54.859239| -4.309579|display=title}} |
{{Coord|54.859239| -4.309579|display=title}} |
||
{{Infobox ancient site |
{{Infobox ancient site |
||
| Line 37: | Line 38: | ||
|notes = |
|notes = |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Cairnholy''' (or '''Cairn Holy''') is the site of two [[Neolithic British Isles|Neolithic]] chambered tombs of the [[Chambered cairn#Clyde-Carlingford court cairns|Clyde type]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cummings|first=Vicki|date=2003|title=Monuments and Landscape: Encounters at Cairnholy|url=http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/tdgnhas/3077.pdf#page=29|journal=Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society|volume=77|pages= |
'''Cairnholy''' (or '''Cairn Holy''') is the site of two [[Neolithic British Isles|Neolithic]] chambered tombs of the [[Chambered cairn#Clyde-Carlingford court cairns|Clyde type]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cummings|first=Vicki|date=2003|title=Monuments and Landscape: Encounters at Cairnholy|url=http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/tdgnhas/3077.pdf#page=29|journal=Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society|volume=77|pages=23–36 at 26|access-date=20 April 2019|archive-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729192353/http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/tdgnhas/3077.pdf#page=29|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is located 4 kilometres east of the village of Carsluith in [[Dumfries and Galloway]], [[Scotland]]. The tombs are [[scheduled monument]]s in the care of [[Historic Scotland]]. |
||
The name Cairnholy represents [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] ''*Càrn na h-ulaidhe'' ‘cairn of the stone tomb’.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gatehouse-folk.org.uk/userfiles/files/Place%20Names/Fleet%20Valley%20P-Ns%20C.pdf|title=Place-names in and around the Fleet Valley: C|last=James|first=Alan G.|date=16 October 2018|website=Gatehouse Folk|access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref> |
The name Cairnholy represents [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] ''*Càrn na h-ulaidhe'' ‘cairn of the stone tomb’.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gatehouse-folk.org.uk/userfiles/files/Place%20Names/Fleet%20Valley%20P-Ns%20C.pdf|title=Place-names in and around the Fleet Valley: C|last=James|first=Alan G.|date=16 October 2018|website=Gatehouse Folk|access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref> |
||
| Line 48: | Line 49: | ||
==Cairnholy I== |
==Cairnholy I== |
||
[[File:Cairn Holy I facade.JPG|thumb|left|Cairnholy I, façade]] |
[[File:Cairn Holy I facade.JPG|thumb|left|Cairnholy I, façade]] |
||
Cairnholy I ({{gbmapping|NX51765389}}) is the more elaborate of the two tombs. It measures 50 by 15 metres and has a monumental curving façade, that formed the backdrop to a [[forecourt]] in front of the tomb.<ref name="rcahms1">{{Canmore |num=63716 |desc=Cairnholy I |access-date=6 February 2014}}</ref> Excavation showed that several fires had been lit in the forecourt.<ref name="histscot"/> |
Cairnholy I ({{gbmapping|NX51765389}}) is the more elaborate of the two tombs. It measures 50 by 15 metres and has a monumental curving façade, that formed the backdrop to a [[Chamber tomb forecourt|forecourt]] in front of the tomb.<ref name="rcahms1">{{Canmore |num=63716 |desc=Cairnholy I |access-date=6 February 2014}}</ref> Excavation showed that several fires had been lit in the forecourt.<ref name="histscot"/> |
||
The tomb itself has two chambers. The outer chamber, which was entered through the façade, contained a fragment of a [[jadeite]] ceremonial axe, together with sherds of Neolithic pottery and a leaf-shaped arrowhead.<ref name="rcahms1"/> Late grave-goods comprised Peterborough-ware and [[Beaker culture|Beaker-ware]] pottery sherds and a flint knife.<ref name="rcahms1"/> The inner chamber was built as a closed box, and was inaccessible from the outer one.<ref name="histscot"/> It was probably originally roofed by a great stone slab resting on the two taller end-slabs.<ref name="histscot"/> The inner chamber contained a secondary cist, with food vessel sherds and a cup-and-ring carved stone.<ref name="rcahms1"/> |
The tomb itself has two chambers. The outer chamber, which was entered through the façade, contained a fragment of a [[jadeite]] ceremonial axe, together with sherds of Neolithic pottery and a leaf-shaped arrowhead.<ref name="rcahms1"/> Late grave-goods comprised Peterborough-ware and [[Beaker culture|Beaker-ware]] pottery sherds and a flint knife.<ref name="rcahms1"/> The inner chamber was built as a closed box, and was inaccessible from the outer one.<ref name="histscot"/> It was probably originally roofed by a great stone slab resting on the two taller end-slabs.<ref name="histscot"/> The inner chamber contained a secondary cist, with food vessel sherds and a cup-and-ring carved stone.<ref name="rcahms1"/> |
||
| Line 55: | Line 56: | ||
[[File:Cairn Holy II chambered cairn.JPG|thumb|left|Cairnholy II]] |
[[File:Cairn Holy II chambered cairn.JPG|thumb|left|Cairnholy II]] |
||
Cairnholy II ({{gbmapping|NX51825404}}) is located to the north of Cairnholy I. Local tradition maintains that it was the tomb of [[Galdus]], a mythical Scottish king.<ref name="histscot"/> It is from this tomb that the nearby farm takes its name.<ref name="rcahms1"/> It measures 20 by 12 metres, and is less than 60 centimetres high.<ref name="rcahms2">{{Canmore |num=63705 |desc=Cairnholy II |access-date=6 February 2014}}</ref> It has been robbed of stones but there are still two portal stones in front of the chambered tomb.<ref name="histscot"/> There is a very shallow v-shaped forecourt at the front of the tomb.<ref name="rcahms2"/> The tomb contained two chambers.<ref name="rcahms2"/> The rear chamber had been previously robbed, and the other disturbed, but an arrowhead and a flint knife were found within the filling, along with secondary sherds of Beaker pottery.<ref name="rcahms2"/> |
Cairnholy II ({{gbmapping|NX51825404}}) is located to the north of Cairnholy I. Local tradition maintains that it was the tomb of [[Galdus]], a mythical Scottish king.<ref name="histscot"/> It is from this tomb that the nearby farm takes its name.<ref name="rcahms1"/> It measures 20 by 12 metres, and is less than 60 centimetres high.<ref name="rcahms2">{{Canmore |num=63705 |desc=Cairnholy II |access-date=6 February 2014}}</ref> It has been robbed of stones but there are still two portal stones in front of the chambered tomb.<ref name="histscot"/> There is a very shallow v-shaped forecourt at the front of the tomb.<ref name="rcahms2"/> The tomb contained two chambers.<ref name="rcahms2"/> The rear chamber had been previously robbed, and the other disturbed, but an arrowhead and a flint knife were found within the filling, along with secondary sherds of Beaker pottery.<ref name="rcahms2"/> |
||
{{clear}} |
{{clear}} |
||
==Other prehistoric monuments== |
==Other prehistoric monuments== |
||
Around 160 metres to the east of Cairnholy farm is the remains of circular cairn less than 15 centimetres high ({{gbmapping|NX51975413}}).<ref name="rcahms3">{{Canmore |num=63757 |desc=Cairnholy 6 |access-date=6 February 2014}}</ref> When stones were being removed from it some time before 1849, it was found to contain human bones.<ref name="rcahms3"/> |
Around 160 metres to the east of Cairnholy farm is the remains of circular cairn less than 15 centimetres high ({{gbmapping|NX51975413}}).<ref name="rcahms3">{{Canmore |num=63757 |desc=Cairnholy 6 |access-date=6 February 2014}}</ref> When stones were being removed from it some time before 1849, it was found to contain human bones.<ref name="rcahms3"/> |
||
| Line 71: | Line 73: | ||
*{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90049|desc=Cairn Holy, chambered cairn 35m S of Cairnholy}} |
*{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90049|desc=Cairn Holy, chambered cairn 35m S of Cairnholy}} |
||
*{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90050|desc=Cairn Holy, chambered cairn 190m SSW of Cairnholy|fewer-links=yes}} |
*{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM90050|desc=Cairn Holy, chambered cairn 190m SSW of Cairnholy|fewer-links=yes}} |
||
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Wigtownshire]] |
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Wigtownshire]] |
||
| Line 77: | Line 78: | ||
[[Category:Megalithic monuments in Scotland]] |
[[Category:Megalithic monuments in Scotland]] |
||
[[Category:Neolithic Scotland]] |
[[Category:Neolithic Scotland]] |
||
[[Category:Scheduled |
[[Category:Scheduled monuments in Dumfries and Galloway]] |
||
[[Category:Chambered cairns in Scotland]] |
[[Category:Chambered cairns in Scotland]] |
||
Latest revision as of 15:54, 17 October 2024
54°51′33″N 4°18′34″W / 54.859239°N 4.309579°W
 Cairnholy I | |
  Shown within Dumfries and Galloway | |
| Location | Dumfries and Galloway |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°51′33″N 4°18′34″W / 54.859239°N 4.309579°W |
| Type | Chambered tomb |
| History | |
| Periods | Neolithic |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Historic Scotland |
| Public access | Yes |
Cairnholy (or Cairn Holy) is the site of two Neolithic chambered tombs of the Clyde type.[1] It is located 4 kilometres east of the village of Carsluith in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The tombs are scheduled monuments in the care of Historic Scotland.
The name Cairnholy represents Gaelic *Càrn na h-ulaidhe ‘cairn of the stone tomb’.[2]
Description
[edit]The Cairnholy tombs are situated on a hillside overlooking Wigtown Bay. They are situated next to Cairnholy Farm. The site can be accessed at the end of a minor road about 1 kilometre from the A75 road. The two tombs lie within 150 metres of each other.[3]
Both tombs lie open to the sky as most of their original covering stones have been taken in the past to build field walls.[3] Both tombs were partially excavated in 1949 by Stuart Piggott and Terence Powell.[3] Finds from the excavations are in the National Museum of Scotland.[4][5]
Cairnholy I
[edit]
Cairnholy I (grid reference NX51765389) is the more elaborate of the two tombs. It measures 50 by 15 metres and has a monumental curving façade, that formed the backdrop to a forecourt in front of the tomb.[4] Excavation showed that several fires had been lit in the forecourt.[3]
The tomb itself has two chambers. The outer chamber, which was entered through the façade, contained a fragment of a jadeite ceremonial axe, together with sherds of Neolithic pottery and a leaf-shaped arrowhead.[4] Late grave-goods comprised Peterborough-ware and Beaker-ware pottery sherds and a flint knife.[4] The inner chamber was built as a closed box, and was inaccessible from the outer one.[3] It was probably originally roofed by a great stone slab resting on the two taller end-slabs.[3] The inner chamber contained a secondary cist, with food vessel sherds and a cup-and-ring carved stone.[4]
Cairnholy II
[edit]
Cairnholy II (grid reference NX51825404) is located to the north of Cairnholy I. Local tradition maintains that it was the tomb of Galdus, a mythical Scottish king.[3] It is from this tomb that the nearby farm takes its name.[4] It measures 20 by 12 metres, and is less than 60 centimetres high.[5] It has been robbed of stones but there are still two portal stones in front of the chambered tomb.[3] There is a very shallow v-shaped forecourt at the front of the tomb.[5] The tomb contained two chambers.[5] The rear chamber had been previously robbed, and the other disturbed, but an arrowhead and a flint knife were found within the filling, along with secondary sherds of Beaker pottery.[5]
Other prehistoric monuments
[edit]Around 160 metres to the east of Cairnholy farm is the remains of circular cairn less than 15 centimetres high (grid reference NX51975413).[6] When stones were being removed from it some time before 1849, it was found to contain human bones.[6]
The area is surrounded with rocks bearing cup and ring marks.[7][8][9][10]
Kirkdale Church
[edit]Around 700 metres to the west are the ruins of Kirkdale Church. The church was dedicated to St Michael. Kirkdale, which belonged to Whithorn Priory, was originally a separate parish, which united with Kirkmabreck in 1618.[11] The church is enclosed by an overgrown burial ground.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Cummings, Vicki (2003). "Monuments and Landscape: Encounters at Cairnholy" (PDF). Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society. 77: 23–36 at 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ James, Alan G. (16 October 2018). "Place-names in and around the Fleet Valley: C" (PDF). Gatehouse Folk. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Cairn Holy Chambered Cairns, Historic Scotland, accessed 6 February 2014
- ^ a b c d e f Historic Environment Scotland. "Cairnholy I (63716)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Historic Environment Scotland. "Cairnholy II (63705)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
- ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Cairnholy 6 (63757)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Cairnholy 4 (63726)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Cairnholy 5 (63728)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Cairnholy 8 (77510)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Cairnholy 9 (77506)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
- ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Kirkdale Church And Burial-Ground (63727)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
External links
[edit]
