Rhunahaorine Primary School pupils are becoming budding archaeologists as they get out and about discovering rock art in Kintyre.
Julia Hamilton and Jacquelyn Condie, education officers based at Kilmartin Museum, recently arranged a visit to a rock art carved stone near Muasdale.
After finding north on the compass and placing an arrow on the rock, the children found the exact location of where they were on an ordnance survey map.
At one time, the huge stone had been split into two and the two rocks together were commented on as “looking like a heart shape”.
A sketch of the outline was made to record dimensions while other pupils drew the surrounding area. The rocks sitting together are approximately 3m by 2.4m.
Although the rocks were partly covered with moss and lichen, this was left in place and due care was taken to ensure the rock surface wasn’t damaged.
Light brushing cleared the many pine needles scattered and sitting in the ‘cups’. Lastly, the pupils put a button in each carved cup – one rock had 39 and the other 44.
Julia said: “The children did amazing investigative and survey work on what was a beautiful morning at the site. What a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn archaeological techniques at such a young age.
“The forest was atmospheric and allowed the children to also consider those ancient ancestors of Kintyre who carved the rocks.”
The survey details and photographs taken will be included in the information the children compile to obtain their ‘Silver Heritage Award’ with Archaeology Scotland.
Photographs will also be forwarded to Canmore, an online database for recording archaeological sites.
On returning to the school, pupils created rock art designs and ground clay, chalk, stone and charcoal to make paint. They then used these to create their own bit of early rock art communication by painting onto bark.
Jacquelyn said of the project: “I am really enjoying working with the pupils and staff at Rhunahaorine primary. We are looking forward to displaying all the wonderful things the children have created during their project and sharing what they have learnt about early farmers of the Neolithic Age with the community at the Campbeltown Museum exhibition next year in March.”
The school is grateful to West Kintyre Windfarm Trust for funding the project and to Kilmartin and Campbeltown Museums for their partnership work.