Piece of a sculptured stone

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This sandstone block, incised with a cross on two faces, was found at Chapel Donnan at Kirkcolm in Wigtownshire.

The simple cross indicates a Christian presence, but it is difficult to date on its own.

Christian burials do not have grave goods like earlier pagan burials. However, the presence of cross-marked burial stones, from simple examples like this one to highly decorated examples, are evidence of the spread of Christianity.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-479-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 117
• Date: Between 500 and 1100
  
• Material: Sandstone; bearing faintly incised cross on each face
  Block
  
• Dimensions: 270 mm H x 85 mm L x 140 mm W
  
• What: Block
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Wigtownshire, Kirkcolm, Chapel Donnan
  
• Event:
• Description: Block of sandstone bearing a faintly incised cross on each face, from Chapel Donnan, Kirkcolm, Wigtownshire
  
• References:
  • Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, p 498. 
• Translations:
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