Kilmartin Glen: Kilmichael Glassary Rock Art

Kilmichael Glassary’s carvings are unique among the many rock art sites in Kilmartin Glen. They’re characterised by the large cup marks with long stretches of gutter, similar to those at Cairnbaan, and, unusually, at least four keyhole-shaped marks.There are also at least 47 plain cup marks, or circular hollows in the stone, and five cups with single rings.

We can only speculate what about the meanings Kilmartin Glen’s Neolithic inhabitants attached to these markings. The carvings are abstract and contain no animal or human figures.

It’s been argued that the rock art should be regarded as a series of messages with meanings dependent on their landscape. Complex carvings, like those at Cairnbaan, usually occur near lowland sites, while carvings on higher ground tend to be more simple.