Rock Art Database

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Section A. CORE INFORMATION

A1. Identifiers

Classifications And Periods

County

ARGYLL

A2. Grid Reference(original find site)

A3. Current Location & Provenance

Section B. CONTEXT

B1. Landscape Context

B2. Current land use & vegetation

• Rough Grazing

B3. Forestry

• No selection

B4. Archaeological Features within 200m / or visible from the panel

• Other rock art
• Standing Stone

B5. Location Notes

Torbhlaran 2 (Lion Rock) lies in its original context in the landscape, at a grid reference of NR 86216 94382. It is situated in flat, arable land used for rough grazing, populated by sheep. The rock can be seen from the roadside and is the second to be seen if travelling in a SW to NE direction. It is also the largest of the rocks at Torbhlaran. It is situated approximately 120m from the road, 19m E of Torbhlaran 1 (Cub Rock) and 190m W of Torbhlaran 3 (Tiger Rock). There are wide and panoramic views from Torbhlaran 2 of the surrounding area, including mountains either side of it, and a small farm cottage around 80m to the E. There is also an audible stream around 500m to the NW.

Previous Notes

NR 8622 9438 Excavations in 2004 and 2006 produced evidence for a stone and clay built platform encircling the eastern edge of the rock art site. This is the first archaeological activity of its kind to have been excavated in association with a Scottish (or British) rock art site. The site was investigated due to its uncharacteristic position in the valley bottom. The platform was covered in large quantities of smashed quartz, including some possible quartz and coarse stone hammer stones. A charcoal-filled scoop had been cut into its top. The platform extended around the outcrop for 4m to the S, while to the N the platform is visible as an earthwork. Excavations beneath the platform to the S revealed a small posthole structure of c1.5m in diameter, c1m away from the rock art outcrop. The structure had been burnt down and was sealed beneath the platform. The post-excavation is at a reasonably advanced stage and two radiocarbon dates have been obtained from SUERC, for the postholes sealed beneath the platform and for a charcoal scoop inserted into the top of the platform. The date from the posthole structure is 2580ñ2340 BC at 95.4% confidence (2570ñ2510 BC at 68.2% confidence). The date from the charcoal scoop is AD 680ñ890 at 95.4% confidence (AD 760ñ870 at 68.2% confidence). Both dates are on oak, with the potential for problems associated with old wood. Nevertheless, while the date from the charcoal scoop provides a terminus ante quem, the date obtained from the posthole structure may provide a terminus post quem for the construction of the platform. While these dates do not date the rock art, they provide an indication of the likely date of the activities associated with the use of the rock art site. As such, these are the first dates obtained from a British rock art site. Archive: Kilmartin House Trust/National Museums Scotland (intended) Funder: British Academy, London Antiquaries, Scottish Antiquaries, AHRC A Jones (University of Southampton), 2008

NR89SE 11 8622 9438. NR 861 943. A whale-back of rock, c.100' x 30', 12' high is sculptured with four cups-and-three-rings, one cup-and-two-rings, four cup-and-one-ring and two cup marks, all on level top surface. It is situated about 130 yds W of the road, and 230 yds SW of cup and ring marked rock NR 89 SE 5. The largest mark is 10" in diameter, deepest, 1/2". R W B Morris and B Thomson 1969 NR 8621 9437: A cup and ring marked rock, generally as described. Surveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (DWR) 7 May 1973 NR 8622 9438. This rock outcrop bears upwards of 15 cups on its level top surface. No rings could be identified with certainty. Surveyed at 1/2500. Visited by OS (TRG) 17 March 1977 The NE flank of this whale-backed rock outcrop, which is situated in an arable field 190m SW of the outcrop NR89SE 5, bears the much weathered remains of a group of cup-and-ring markings. The decoration comprises two cups with five partial rings, six cups with three rings, seven cups with two rings, thirteen with single rings (many of the ringed cups having gutters), and some sixty-eight plain cups. Part of the SE edge of the outcrop has been removed by blasting, and at least two shot-holes are visible.2 Visited June 1985 RCAHMS 1988

Section C. PANEL

C1. Panel Type

C2. Panel Dimensions, Slope & Orientation

C3. Rock Surface

C4. Surface Features

• Fissures/cracks
• Natural Hollows
• Bedding Planes
• Smooth Surface

C5. Panel Notes

Torbhlaran 2 (Lion Rock) is located in its original context in the landscape on a rocky outcrop. It is approximately 23.1m long and 10.6m wide with a maximum height of 3.9m. The outcrop faces in various directions, with the majority of motifs facing NE in orientation. It is a medium grain, hard schist. The surface is fairly smooth with natural fissures, natural hollows and bedding planes. Motifs consist of ring and cup marks mainly located on the upper surface of the panel. Outwith the main concentration, there are 10 cups marks scattered across the outcrop, several on ledges at the S end. At the highest point of the outcrop there is a collection of 4 cup marks, one cup and ring, and one cup with a partial ring. Along the upper ledge, towards the centre of the outcrop there are: three cups with two complete rings, six cups with one partial ring, 2 cups with multiple ring and an extending tail, 7 cups with one ring, 2 cups with possible complete rings, two cups with three complete rings (one of which includes a cup in the outermost ring), two cups with rings and a tail extending from the ring, a pair of parallel grooves, a cup with two partial arch shaped rings, a cup with a tail and two partial arch shaped rings, one cup with two possible rings and approximately 64 cups, 4 of which are possible. An additional, full scale 3D model of the full outcrop is available here: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/torbhlaran-2-lion-rock-kilmichael-glassary-53875b72b625453ba5232956d9acd965

C6. Probability

The probability that there is any rock art on the panel is Definite

Comments

No comments added

C7. MOTIFS

Visible Tool Marks? No

Visible Peck Marks? No

Section D. ACCESS, AWARENESS & RISK

D1. Access

• Right to Roam access.
• Panel is on Private land.

D2. Awareness

• Panel was known before the project.
• This panel is known to others in the local community.

There are stories or folk traditions associated with this panel No

D3. Risk

Natural

• Large areas of the rock are covered in lichen, moss or algae.
• There are shrubs growing on the rock surface.

Animal

• There are sheep near the rock.

Human

• The rock is within or on the edge of arable land.

Comments and other potential threats

No comments added