Scheduled MonumentsScotlandBroughton Mains,cup & ring marked rocks
Cup & ring marked rocks

Broughton Mains,cup & ring marked rocks

Scotland
HES SM1920
Site type
Cup & ring marked rocks
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

Broughton Mains is a site of cup and ring marked rocks located in Wigtownshire, Scotland. The rock carvings belong to the Bronze Age, likely dating to the second or third millennium before the present, and represent a form of rock art whose precise purpose remains subject to scholarly debate, though such markings are generally interpreted as having ritual, territorial, or symbolic significance. The site comprises natural rock outcrops bearing the characteristic shallow circular depressions and concentric rings that define this class of prehistoric monument. Cup and ring marks are distributed across southwest Scotland and further afield, with Broughton Mains contributing to the broader archaeological understanding of Bronze Age populations and their engagement with the landscape.

Broughton Mains,cup & ring marked rocks is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1920. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Broughton Mains,cup & ring marked rocks?

Broughton Mains is a site of cup and ring marked rocks located in Wigtownshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1920.

Who is responsible for protecting Broughton Mains,cup & ring marked rocks?

Broughton Mains,cup & ring marked rocks is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM1920.

What other scheduled monuments are near Broughton Mains,cup & ring marked rocks?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Whithorn Priory, monastic settlement and priory (5.5 km), Dinnans,two forts (5.8 km), Little Balsmith,standing stone (5.9 km).

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