Isle of Arran, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK , Machrie Moor Stone Circle & standing stones from between 3500 to 1500 BC. Sheduled Monuments
This rich archaeological landscape includes stone circles, standing stones, burial cairns and cists, as well as hut circles and an extensive field system, all dating to between 3500 and 1500 BC. The stone circles were preceded by elaborate timber circles on exactly the same sites. They were associated with religious activities dating back around 4,500 years. Cremation and inhumation burials were placed in the circles, long after they were first circles were associated with the religious and ceremonial activities of the Neolithic and Bronze Age farmers living on Machrie Moor. The stone circles aligned with a prominent notch at the head of Machrie Glen, where the midsummer sunrise would have been visible. Later on, the circles were used for burials, including cremations and inhumations, perhaps for prominent members of the community. A fine food vessel was found in the middle of circle 2. The stone circle known as ‘Fingal’s Cauldron Seat’ is named after Fingal the giant – a mythic figure probably derived from the Irish Fionn Mac Cumhail. One of the stones has a hole in it. This is where Fingal is said to have tethered his dog Bran while he ate a meal in the inner ring. grid reference NR91203239
Size: 5760px × 3840px
Location: Machrie Moor, Near Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran, Scotland
Photo credit: © Alister Firth / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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