Recumbent stone circle

Easter Aquhorthies recumbent stone circle near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Dunnideer recumbent stone circle near Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Recumbent stone circles are a variation on the more familiar standard stone circles found throughout the British Isles and Brittany. The recumbent circle is a form peculiar to the north east of Scotland and south west Ireland (Drombeg stone circle near Glandore and Rosscarbery, Co. Cork). Recumbent stone circles date back to approx 3000 BC.

A recumbent circle is formed principally of a ring of stones, like all other stone circles; however, there is one, large recumbent stone laid on its side, usually flanked by the two largest of the standing stones immediately on either side. The stones are commonly graded in height with the lowest stones being diametrically opposite to the tall flankers.

It is not uncommon for the circle to contain a ring cairn and cremation remains.

The recumbent stone lies between the SSE and SW points of the circle. It is thought that this configuration was used for lunar observations and the changing of the seasons however such an alignment would coincide with the Winter Solstice Sunset. These circles are usually in good farmland, near hill-tops.

Examples

• An excellent example of a recumbent stone circle, in very good condition, can be found at Easter Aquhorthies recumbent stone circle near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
• Near Dunnideer hillfort, by Insch in Aberdeenshire, there are the remnants of a recumbent stone circle where only the recumbent stone and its flankers survive.
• Drombeg stone circle near Rosscarbery, Co. Cork has a large recumbent stone with cup marks. A winter solstice alignment exists.

See also

• Carved Stone Balls
• Prehistoric Scotland
• Timeline of prehistoric Scotland

External links

• Aberdeenshire Council - Recumbent Stone Circles
• Drombeg @ MegalithicIreland