TheKilmartin Stones are a collection of 79 ancient graveslabs (one exception being a side-slab of a tomb chest) atKilmartin parish church in the village ofKilmartin,Argyll,Scotland, about 30 km due south ofOban (about 46 km by road). The earliest stones date back to the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries, with the most recent ones dated 1707 and 1712.
Originally, the stones would have been laid flat on the ground to cover a grave. After theReformation, however, many of the stones were moved, and in 1956 they were moved inside a shelter to protect them from the weather. The symbolism of the motifs carved onto the slabs is the subject of much discussion and speculation. Many feature swords orclaymores, some alone, others with surrounding designs of twining orinterlaced foliage. Several depict armed men. Other motifs include crosses, animals andshears; a comb appears with shears on one stone.[1] It has been suggested that several of the slabs may commemorateKnights Templar but this theory is unproven.[citation needed]
Kilmartin Glen is the richest prehistoric landscape in Scotland. Within an area not much over 6 miles (9.7 km) long a huge diversity ofstanding stones,stone circles,carved rocks and ancient tombs can be found. It also has what is believed to be the only 'linear cemetery' in the country, a series ofchambered cairns (burial mounds) laid out in a straight line right down the bottom of theglen. The oldest of these is believed to be 6,000 years old.[2]
The reason for such a concentration of these ancient monuments in one small area of theScottish Highlands is unknown.
Media related toKilmartin Sculptured Stones at Wikimedia Commons56°8′1″N5°29′13″W / 56.13361°N 5.48694°W /56.13361; -5.48694