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Cave, with multi-phase occupation, named from the Pictish sculptures which are carved on to the walls. Symbols include the fish, crescent and V-rod, pentacle, triple vessica, step, mirror case and also rectangular symbols. The cave has two side-by-side entrances partially boarded up. From these entrances two passages run into a large impressive interior. The floor near the entrance is of trampled earth and in the interior of loose shingle. Excavations were carried out in 1928-30 and 1979, and a large number of finds from various periods, including a significant assemblage of Late Bronze Age metalwork (including armlets), and metalwork, pottery and coins from the Roman Iron Age were recorded. A number of children's bones were also recovered in the deposits. Re-analysis of the human remains in 2007 suggested that the cave was the site of complex mortuary practices from the Late Bronze Age to the mid First Millennium AD. An excavation was carried out by the University of Bradford in 2014 on what is believed to be the spoil heap from the 1928-30 excavations, with the aim of recovering any discarded bone from the 1930 investigations. A total of 103 fragments of human bone were recovered, as well as a bone pin and an Iron Age yellow glass bead. The cave was also laser-scanned at this time, and a 3D model produced.
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Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Moray
HER -
NJ17SE0001 - SCULPTORS' CAVE, COVESEA