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Ardnacross, cairn 380m NNW of

A Scheduled Monument in Oban South and the Isles, Argyll and Bute

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Coordinates

Latitude: 56.5744 / 56°34'28"N

Longitude: -5.9977 / 5°59'51"W

OS Eastings: 154555

OS Northings: 749654

OS Grid: NM545496

Mapcode National: GBR CCKB.RL3

Mapcode Global: WGZDD.V05S

Entry Name: Ardnacross, cairn 380m NNW of

Scheduled Date: 30 January 2003

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM10571

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: kerb cairn

Location: Kilninian and Kilmore

County: Argyll and Bute

Electoral Ward: Oban South and the Isles

Traditional County: Argyllshire

Description

The monument comprises a cairn of prehistoric date, visible as a mound delimited by large stones.

The monument is situated about 380m NNW of Ardnacross on the summit of a low ridge within a field. The cairn measures 5.3m in diameter and stands 0.5 m high. It is defined by a series of large, upstanding kerb stones, the highest of which stands 1.1m tall.

In general, the kerb stones are largest around the W arc of the cairn, while several of the kerb stones on the N and E sides now lean outwards. The centre of the cairn has been dug into in antiquity, which has exposed what may be the side slabs of a cist, while a large flat stone on top of the cairn may have been a capstone.

Cairns of this type are funerary monuments dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age (third or second millennium BC), and may be expected to contain material relating to their mode of construction and use.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material is likely to survive. It is circular in shape with a diameter of 25m, centred on the cairn, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric funerary and ritual practices. Its importance is increased by its proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NM 54 NW 6.

Photographic Bibliography:

RCAHMS 1976 Ref: 7800.

Bibliography:

Duns, J. (1883) 'Notes on North Mull', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 17, 1882-3, 81.

Judd, J. W. (1875) 'Notes on some ancient chapels and other remains in the island of Mull', Proc Soc Antiq Scot., 10, 1872-4, 597.

RCAHMS (1980) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Argyll: an inventory of the monuments volume 3: Mull, Tiree, Coll and Northern Argyll (excluding the early medieval and later monuments of Iona)'. Edinburgh, 50, No. 10(2).

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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