CAIRN, a heap of stones thrown together in a coni cal form. Cairns seem to differ from barrows, only in regard to the materials of which they are composed: they both seem to have been designed for the same pur poses; and accidental circumstances directed the one to be constructed of stones, and the other of accumulated earth. In Scotland and Wales, cairns are more com mon, because the materials are every where to be found in abundance. In England, barrows are more frequent, because stones are not so easily procured for the construc tion of these monuments. In Egypt the two forms are ometinies found conjoined, as when a conical mound of earth is surmounted by a pyramid of bricks.
It is in vain that we attempt to trace the history of cairns, or to deduce their origin from any particular na tion; they evidently originate in principles common w human nature, and were the first rude monuments of events which men were desirous to commemorate. Wherever we read of a pillar, or a stone set up as a me•. morial, we see the origin of the cairn, and the principle which gave rise to its construction : Gen. xxxi. 46 ; Josh. iv. 5. The durability of the substances, of which these monuments were composed, recommended them as memorials to more polished ages, and the splendid pillar and stupendous pyramid are only improvements and extensions of this simple structure.
From this view of the subject, it is evident that we do not mean to confine the uses of cairns, either to the purposes of religion or sepulture: they seem to have hero applied to any event which appeared particularly worthy of commemoration. The Israelites raised a great heap of stones on the body of Achan, as a monu ment of perpetual lawny, Josh. vii. 26 ; and they also raised a heap of stones to celebrate their miraculous passage over the river Jordan. In the same manner, cairns are raised in Scotland to this clay, in places where murders or suicides are committed ; and there ran lie no doubt, that many of the ancient cairns are designed to celebrate events of more p•opritious omen.
As religion, however, even in the rudest states of so ciety, has always deeply interested the feelings of men, we may naturally expect numerous monuments relating to this important subject. Connected with religion is the sepulture of the dead, an object of great importance in the estimation both of civilized and barbarous nations ; and there can be no doubt that the cairns in Britain have often been consecrated to both these purposes. Without travelling far into the region of conjecture, we might claim for these humble monuments, the same origin and use which have been ascribed to the lofty pyramids of Egypt. Accordingly, some of our antiquarians have sup pos•d the cairns to be relics of Druidical superstition, and originally dedicated to the worship of t he gun ; whilst others have contended, that they are to be considered nwrely funeral monuments. The first opinion de rives some support from a practice common in former times, of going round these cairns at particular periods, according to the course: of the sun, when a favourable issue was desired to any event or undertaking; and of moving in an opposite direction, when vengeance and imprecations were denounced against obnoxious indivi duals The second opinion derives confirmation, from the circumstance of urns and bones being generally found under these monuments. But the two opinions arc not at all incohsistent. The place consecrated to religious uses, would naturally be considered as the most proper receptacle for the sacred reli•ues of the dead ; whilst, on the other hand, the feelings which arise from con templating the remains of our relations and friends, dispose the mind to devotion, and fit the place which contains them for the hallowed purposes of religion.
Cairns arc to be found in almost every part of Scotland ; and, in a great variety of instances, where their con tents have been examined, they have been found to en close urns, implements of war, ornaments of dress, &c. See Statist. .1ccount passim ; and Chalmer's Caledonia, vol. i.