Cinerary urn

This ceramic urn was found at Kilmagad at Scotlandswell at Portmoak in Kinross-shire. It had been buried upside down, resting on stone 'paving' in a pit. It was almost empty apart from some 'ashes' (cremated human remains).

The urn has applied rib decoration on the upper part, forming an enclosed zone of large triangles. The outlines of the triangles and rim have been highlighted with small punched depressions, and further depressions encircle the neck and rim.

By around 1750 BC, in mainland Scotland, cremation had become the favoured funerary custom. Cremated remains were gathered from the funeral pyre and usually placed in a large pottery urn, its top covered by a skin or stone.

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