Location
Tarland, the Aboyne/Coull Road B 9094.
Tarland, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
OS Map Reference
NJ 487 035
Date
5,000-4,000 Before Present?
Description
The recumbent stone circle is a form unique to North East Scotland.
This site was in a ruinous condition as a result of instabilities caused by an adjacent quarry but was restored and excavated in 2000.
The recumbent and its flankers are situated at the South West of the circles and often appears to have been carefully levelled. It has been speculated that they provided artificial horizons for the observation of the moon and other astronomical bodies.
Of 175 Aberdeenshire circles recorded as existing in 1911, only about 74 remain. A fact that is a depressing testimony to the 20th century's attitudes.
The photographs were taken shortly after an extensive excavation and restoration of the site, this is the reason for the bare earth.
An interactive map of all British stone circles and links to other pages relating to stone circles can be found at www.megalith.ukf.net/
Related Information
New car park and disabled access. Adjacent quarry nearly filled in to give the site a sense of its original importance.
The bottom wide angle photo was taken on the last day of the two-year excavation/restoration by Reading University in
1999/2000 and gives an overview of the site taken from the observation tower. To the left, over the quarry, can also be seen the surface equipment of an old ROC bunker from the Cold War. The results of the Reading dig have been published by Richard Bradley in his book "the moon and the bonfire" ISBN 0-903903-33-4 Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. (includes Cothiemuir and Aikey Brae digs as well)
Era
Neolithic era
Categories
External Links
Photographer
- David Watson Hood
Unavailable Data
- Information Source
- Related Artefacts
- Iconography
- Creator
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