Urn

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This ceramic urn was found in a cairn at Gourlaw at Lasswade in Midlothian. It contained a burnt bone object, perhaps a handle plate or toggle, and cremated human remains. The burial dates from sometime between 2000 and 1500 BC.

The urn has a pronounced collar richly decorated with a spatula-type tool jabbed into the clay at an angle to produce chevron patterns.

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: 000-100-035-015-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.EA 164
• Date: Between 2000 and 1500 BC
  
• Material: Clay
  Pottery / cinerary urn
  
• Dimensions: 14.38" x 12.25"
  
• What: Pottery / cinerary urn
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Gourlaw, Stackyardfield
  
• Event:
• Description: Cinerary urn of clay found in a cairn at Gourlaw Farm, Midlothian
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, p 294. 
• Translations:
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