Head of a wooden carving of a female figure

Add to album

This wooden carving of a female figure, probably a goddess, was found buried in a peat bog at Ballachulish in Inverness-shire. The figure was carved between 730 and 520 BC. This detail shows the side view of the head.

Quartzite pebbles were inset into the wood to represent the eyes of the figure.

The figure was buried near the short but dangerous crossing of Loch Leven at Ballachulish, a place which has been a focus for people since ancient times. The figure's deliberate burial may have been an important final act of ritual.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-001-102-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KL 54
• Date: Between 730 and 520 BC
  Late Bronze Age, 725 - 500 BC
  
• Material: Wood, oak, with quartzite pebbles for eyes
  Carving / figure / female
  
• Dimensions: 1390 mm H x 145 mm L x 190 mm W
  
• What: Carving / figure / female
  
• Subject: Carved woodwork, painted ceilings (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Inverness-shire, Nether Lochaber, Ballachulish
  
• Event:
• Description: Figure of a female in oak, the oldest human figure from Scotland, from Ballachulish, 725 - 500 BC
  
• References:
  • Lochaber' multimedia programme, NMS 1995 
• Translations:
• Related Records: