BGCP_24: Sword, crosses and rings 

Fisher H; HES (RCAHMS EMCSP Balquhidder) no. 10 slab here

Site co-ordinates: 33.90/18.40

Photogrammetry see here

This subrectangular grave-slab, aligned W–E, is 1.80 m long, by up to 0.65 m wide at W and 0.50 m wide at E. It has a very rough and undulating surface, dipping down at a pronounced angle at the W. There are large masses of quartz in the W half, around which the carving is arranged. The carving comprises (from W to E):

• part of a circular ring mark at the NW corner,

• a plain cross at the NW corner in negative relief (0.18 m W-E, by 0.21 m N-S),

• a sword in positive relief midway along the N side; the hilt at the W has a bulbous pommel, and flared cross guards at right angles; at the E is the slightly sinuous pointed blade,

• an oval ring (0.13 m by 0.11 m) in negative relief (slightly deeper around the edge) to the S of sword blade,

• a slightly irregular cross in negative relief, measuring 0.24 m W-E and N-S, in the centre of the slab towards the E end, 

• a raised oval, possibly a natural feature that has been shaped, at the NE,

• a ring mark (0.13 m in diameter) in negative relief at the SE;

• a number of small circular depressions: on the sword blade, SE of oval ring, and at the SE corner of the slab.

  For further information on sources see BGCP Bibliographic References