19 March 2025, Starts: 19:00

Investigating rock art in Kilmartin Glen: experiences and excavations

Online talk by Aaron Watson

Organised by Kilmartin Museum. Free, but donations welcome. For details and to book, see their website

Neolithic and Bronze Age people carved abstract symbols into numerous rock outcrops throughout Kilmartin Glen and beyond. The meanings and significance of these cup and ring markings have long puzzled researchers, resulting in hundreds of diverse interpretations. Archaeological fieldwork has dramatically enhanced our knowledge. Almost twenty years ago, excavations at Torbhlaren and Ormaig uncovered substantial collections of worked stone associated with the creation of rock art. However, an important question remained: were these findings unique, or could similar evidence be discovered at other sites in the area? To explore this, Kilmartin Museum and Archaeology Scotland collaborated to excavate three additional rock art sites in Kilmartin Glen. This Evening Talk will summarise the findings of this community archaeology project and reveal how they have further illuminated our understanding of these enigmatic places.

Aaron Watson is an archaeologist and visual creator who investigates Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments and landscapes. From 2019 to 2024, Aaron was part of the curatorial and interpretation team that helped to deliver Kilmartin Museum’s redevelopment, and he co-directed the archaeological excavations that are the subject of this talk.