XII.—Cup-and-Ring Carvings: Some Remarks on their Classification, and a new Suggestion as to their Origin and Meaning

The curious carvings to which the name “Cup-and-Ring” has been applied are very widely distributed over the globe. They are found in the British Islands, France, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe, and have been noted in India and in Fiji. They occur on natural rock surfaces, on boulders in situ, on standing stones, on cromlechs, on detached stones forming parts of chambered cairns, cist or urn covers, or built into Pictish weems or brochs; and also on grave-stones in Christian churchyards, and on the walls of churches themselves.