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Ballagreyney cup-marked stone

Date made: Bronze Age: 2000-500 BC, Early Christian: 500-800, Medieval: 410-1540, Neolithic: 4000-2000 BC

Description: A big puzzle of a big stone, which could date to four different periods. It was found on the site of what was once an Early Christian keeil (chapel), which in turn had been built on a prehistoric burial mound. The stone was originally catalogued as a 'cresset stone'. These were stones with hollows in them where oil or wax could sit, and with a wick added, they could be used as lighting. Appropriate perhaps for a Christian chapel.

The hollows are also known as 'cup-marks' and may be prehistoric in date. This type of hollow can be found on individual stones like this one, on larger rock formations out in the landscape and on the stones that form burial mounds.

Or, the stone may have functioned as a gaming board in Medieval times.

Perhaps this stone has had more than one use in the past!

Read about Ballagreyney Keeill (0092.00)

Measurements: overall: 87 cm x 46 cm x 29 cm; holes c.22cm diameter

Materials: stone: other, sandstone, gritstone

Object name: carved stone

Collection: Archaeology Collection

ID number: 1954-0921

Subject tags : #MM100COLLECTIONS

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