In contrast to the Early Bronze Age, human activity that can categorically be dated to the Middle Bronze Age (1600/1500–1150 BC) is limited in Perth and Kinross. This reflects the picture of this period more generally across central Scotland, and to a large extent is to a large extent is a result of the paucity of radiocarbon-dated sites and finds. This is a classic case of the absence of evidence not constituting evidence for absence. Useful dating evidence, pertaining both to stone circles and to roundhouses, has however been obtained from Bradley’s re-excavation and re-interpretation of the complex, multi-phase monument at Croftmoraig, east of Loch Tay (MPK363; Bradley and Sheridan 2005; Bradley and Nimura 2016). The National Museums’ Scotland radiocarbon dating programme has provided comparative dating evidence allowing the few kerb-cairns in Perth and Kinross to be attributed (at least provisionally) to the Middle Bronze Age.
An interest in orientating monuments on celestial phenomena such as midwinter solstice sunset or the position of the moon at its major standstill is evident from kerb-cairns and oval stone ‘circles’. This awareness of the celestial is also clear from the re-use of ancient rock art, and possibly the creation of new rock art – chiefly cupmarks – and the deposition of quartz, a symbolically-significant material whose triboluminescence would form a dramatic element in night-time ceremonies (Bradley 2005, 112; Jones et al 2011, 198).
As regards material culture, the pottery in use during this period belongs to what has loosely been called the ‘Flat-rimmed ware/Bucket Urn’ tradition (as discussed in Bradley and Sheridan 2005 and Sheridan 2007b). Metal artefacts are relatively sparse, especially in contrast to southern Britain where metalwork deposition is particularly well attested for the period around 1400–1100 BC.
4.3.3.1 Funerary Practices and Ceremonial Monuments