Sculpture stones from Aberlemno

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The sculpture stones from Aberlemno are Pictish symbol stones and cross-slabs . There are four of these stones in the scattered village to the north east of Forfar , County Angus , Scotland .

One is in the cemetery, the others are on the B9134 (road) from Forfar to Brechin , north of Dundee . In winter the stones are protected against weathering by wooden covers. All stones show, at least on one side, Pictish works from pre-Christian times. Two of the stones have recently been moved to integrate them into a field wall. Another stone is in the Dundee Museum. The impressive cross-slab is in its original position in the cemetery.

The stones on the road

  • The approximately five meter high, slightly inclined symbol stone (the Serpent Stone) is a simple plate that, carefully cut, bears typical Pictish symbols: snake, double disc and Z-rod, mirror and comb. On the back there are several very poorly preserved bowls . Location: 56 ° 41 ′ 33.2 ″  N , 2 ° 46 ′ 50.9 ″  W.
  • Aberlemno

  • Snake stone

  • Cross-slab on the street

  • Symbols and hunting scene on the back of the cross-slab by the road

  • Double disc and Z-bar

  • Cross slab in the cemetery

  • The battle at the rear

  • Another symbol stone is placed between this stone and the cross stone, but it only bears traces of a crescent moon mark.
  • The cross-slab on the street has a large Celtic cross on the front, which is flanked by panels showing wattle, reptiles and other animals as decoration. On its back, which was once the front, a crescent moon, a V-bar, a double disc and a Z-bar can be seen from top to bottom. Including a hunting scene with men on horseback, two long horns, as well as deer and hunting dogs. Below this scene on the left is a centaur who appears to be holding a branch and an ax. On the right a representation of David, recognizable by the sheep and the harp, fighting a lion. It may be that the composition of the symbols and scenes has no meaning. Location: 56 ° 41 ′ 31.6 ″  N , 2 ° 46 ′ 52.6 ″  W.

In the cemetery

The cross-slab in the cemetery is better preserved than the one on the street. It dates from the 8th or 9th century. The Celtic cross, decorated with wickerwork and spiral patterns, is created in high relief and is surrounded by imaginary animals. They are intertwined, some bite each other. An elegant pair of animals with fish tails stand opposite each other at the bottom with their forelegs raised. At the top of the back of the cross are two pictorial symbols. The first is a notched rectangle and a Z-bar, the second the triple disc, which is also interpreted as a cup. The remainder is filled in by a battle scene with cavalry and infantry, believed to depict the Battle of Dunnichen Mere (Dun Nechtain) in County Angus in AD 685, in which the Picts were victorious. It was established between the Picts under Bridei III. and the Northumbrians under Ecgfrith . The English warriors are shown wearing helmets with nose guards, a type that is also shown in other contemporary depictions and finds. In this epoch, unlike in the previous one, it became important to process secular and religious ideas. Location: 56 ° 41 ′ 21.5 ″  N , 2 ° 46 ′ 52.8 ″  W.

See also

literature

  • Anna and Graham Ritchie: Scotland. Oxford Archaeological Guides, Oxford Paperbacks, 1998 ISBN 0-192-88002-0
  • Homer Sykes: Mysterious Britain - Fact and Folklore George Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-297-83196-8 p. 145

Web links