Mysterious marks
Among the archaeological riches in Kilmartin Glen is an extraordinary array of prehistoric rock art. The designs take the form of cup-marks, cup-and-ring marks, spirals, stars and linear grooves, often densely covering large expanses of rock-face. Apart from the occasional axe, the art is not representational – there are no human or animal figures. Similar prehistoric rock art is found in Scotland from Galloway to Shetland, and in Ireland, Brittany and NW Spain.
Many people have tried to read a symbolism into these cup-and-ring marks, but we can only speculate about their original significance. Such rock art is difficult to date, but it is also found in archaeological contexts such as tombs. It is clear that the potential date range is very long, from around 3500 to around 1000 BC. The Kilmartin Glen rock art, including that at Achnabreck, is likely to be around 5,000 years old.
Rock art at Achnabreck
The rock art at Achnabreck comprises several decorated outcrops. Many of the cups (circular hollows) are surrounded by one or more rings. Additional gutters (grooves) radiate out and downwards from some of the cups. Among the many multiple rings are the largest examples yet discovered – up to nine rings and overall diameters of each approaching a metre.
Highlight
•The massive multiple rings – almost 1m across.
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Kilmartin Glen: Achnabreck Cup And Ring Marks