Description

The monument comprises prehistoric rock carvings which are situated in rough pasture a short distance NW of the public road.

The rock-face slopes to the SE and two parallel terraces are profusely decorated with cups, rings and other motifs. Of particular note are four cups with keyhole-like rings, which occur on both the upper and lower terraces and three large oval marks which lie on the W side of the lower terrace. Outside the NW angle of the guardianship enclosure an extension of the rock sheet has been exposed, revealing

at least 47 plain cups and five cups with single rings.

The area to be scheduled measures 30m from NNE to SSW by 20m transversely, to include the visible carvings and an area around in which associated remains may survive, as marked in red on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is well-preserved and forms part of the densest and most elaborate concentration of later Neolithic and Bronze Age rock carvings in Scotland. The importance of these has been recognised since the nineteenth century and has been the subject of several major studies. In addition, it is part of a group of contemporary ritual and funerary monuments in Kilmartin Valley, part of a ritual landscape, which has the potential to provide information about later Neolithic and Bronze Age ritual practices and, by inference, social structure.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NR 89 SE 1.
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Kilmichael Glassary Cup & Ring Mark Rock
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/kilmartin-glen-kilmichael-glassary-rock-art
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Source: Historic Environment Scotland