Tomnaverie Stone Circle (see above photo) is a great example of a recumbent Stone Circle (i.e. a circle of stones with a large south/west facing stone laid on its side flanked by two larger stones), and is located approximately 4 miles north/west of Aboyne. Built in approximately 2500 BC this monument measures roughly 17.1 metres in diameter. The site was originally used as a cremation mound, where many of the dead were cremated on site (or cremated elsewhere locally and then later laid to rest at this site). Many years later the site was enclosed by a stone circle (the purpose of which has been much theorised, varying from “…a level “frame” over which to observe the movements of the moon.” (Anna Edelsten: Date unknown) to suggestions of reverting to previous practices due to superstitions, traditions etc).
The latest modification to be made to this site was the placing of a Kerb Cairn within the stone circle. The site was then probably re-used over the generations up until the later cremations that occurred in 1000BC, when other burial practices became more prevalent.
The Stone Circle was nearly demolished as a result of the quarrying carried out immediately adjacent to this structure, undermining it and affecting it on both sides. The recumbent stone was nearly lost over the cliff and all but four of the stones were either missing or had fallen. It was thanks to the local community’s desire for preserving this site, and the excavation work of Professor Richard Bradley of Reading University 1999-2000, that helped to restore and preserve this site for future generations.
Comparing the significance of various sites across Aberdeenshire, I believe Tomnaverie Stone Circle to be the most significant site as it displays both; the need for us to preserve such sites from the destructive forces, both natural and unnatural, that threaten sites such as these, and the need for excavation of such sites, which can greatly deepen our understanding and knowledge of past cultures, practices etc.
This site seems to have been a place of cremation burials, although many have theorised sites such as these to have some ritualistic or religious significance, however we are unable to measure practices such as these without tangible evidence. Therefore, the primary use of this site, due to archaeological evidence gained, i.e. charred human remains, would indicate it to have been a place of burial cremation for the dead.
In conclusion, I believe this site to be highly important as it has broadened our understanding of the burial practices of past societies, and has opened our eyes to the need for preservation. In essence, sites such as Tomnaverie are a finite resource, so when they are gone, they are gone and all of the knowledge and understanding they can bring us is lost forever, therefore preservation is key to unlocking the mysteries of our past.