Cinerary urn

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This ceramic urn was found at Culbin Sands in Moray. It was used to hold cremated human remains, sometime between 2000 and 1550 BC.

The tall urn has three narrow applied ribs around its body, and another on the inside below the rim. There are two small holes pierced through one side just below the rim. These may have been for binding over a crack.

By around 1750 BC, in mainland Scotland, cremation had become the favoured funerary custom. Cremated remains were usually placed in a large pottery urn, its top covered by a skin or stone. The urn was then buried upside down in a cist or pit.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-035-008-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.EA 120
• Date: Between 2000 and 1550 BC
  
• Material: Clay; with three narrow raised bands; two small holes pierced through one side
  Pottery / cinerary urn
  
• Dimensions: 16.50" x 11.50"
  
• What: Pottery / cinerary urn
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Moray, Dyke and Moy, Culbin Sands
  
• Event:
• Description: Cordoned urn with three narrow raised bands, from Culbin Sands, Moray
  
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