[From Proc IoMNH&ASoc vol 3]

DESCRIPTION OF CIST ON WHITE STRAND FARM, KIRK GERMAN.

C. H. COWLEY. 17th September, 1930.

The Cist was uncovered by the plough on 14th February, 1924, by William Cowell, son of the tenant, and the east end-stone was removed by them before the nature of their find was known.

On the following day, under my supervision, the cist was examined and following notes made:

Cist had been opened previously and evidently under similar circuinstances, as was evident by the cover lid having been removed, the interior emptied of its contents and refilled with sand and earth,. in which were several pieces of the cover lid, two or three inches in, length, some nearly on the bottom of the cist.

A slate slab which would answer the purpose of a cover lid stands in the farm yard, and is probably the removed one.

The three remaining upright sides were left by us as they were uncovered, and we replaced the broken east one in the interior, as, if placed in its original position it would obstruct: the plough at a future time.

Careful measurements were taken, and as far as we could do so, we replaced all stones in their former positions. Many of the stones used for packing on the outside are not in their original positions.

The four upright stones are of red sandstone, probably from Cass Struan, waterworn, very regular in shape; the floor stone is a flat similar stone, broken in two places.

The capstone is as stated, a blue slate, and the surrounding boulders are sea worn. The spaces filled in with broken sandstone and smaller boulders. A few-three or four-white quartz stones were in the material filling up the interior of the Cist.

A photograph of, and details of opening, etc., were placed inside a cylinder and buried in the cist, which was closed up and recovered with earth on 18th February, 1924.