8.3.13 Interaction with prehistoric monuments

Much recent work in Ireland, England and Scotland (eg Campbell et al. forthcoming b; Semple 2013) has pointed to the involvement of early medieval communities with prehistoric sites, though there is not much direct evidence of this in Argyll. Clearly, sites such as Dunadd (CANMORE ID 39564) were located at least partly with reference to the rich monumental landscape of Kilmartin Glen (Lane and Campbell 2000, illus 1.4). In Argyll, a Norse period hoard was inserted in one of the Kilmartin cairns, and recent excavations at Torbhlaren rock art site (CANMORE ID 39543) have revealed iron age and early medieval activity there (Jones et al. 2011, 120), something increasingly being seen at Scandinavian rock art sites. On Iona it is possible that the D-shaped enclosure and the well may represent an iron age sacred site, as early dates have been obtained from beneath the vallum. The positioning of Killevin chapel (CANMORE ID 40022) and monastic enclosure (CANMORE ID 281472) next to Crarae chambered tomb (CANMORE ID 40024) is possibly another example of deliberate appropriation or sanctifying of a pagan monument (Kirby and Alexander 2009, 96).