From Broch of Burrian, North Ronaldsay, Orkney; Jarlshof, Shetland

Pebble, an oxbone and a stone disc

This pebble and ox bone from the Broch of Burrian on North Ronaldsay in Orkney and stone disc from Jarlshof in Shetland were all decorated with Pictish symbols. The objects date from between 500 and 800.

The long stone is incised on one side with a pentacle (a five-pointed star) and other markings. The bone is incised with a crescent and V- rod on one side and a rectangle on the other. The disc is incised with a double-disc and Z-rod symbol.

Monumental stones and some portable objects were decorated by the Picts with a range of unusual symbols, some of everyday objects and others more abstract. Many theories have been proposed to explain their meaning which nevertheless remain obscure.

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Online ID:	000-100-038-138-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.HSA 4042
Date:	Between 500 and 800
Material:	Bone, ox; incised on one side with a crescent and V rod and on the other with a circular disc and rectangle with square indentations Sandstone; abraded both ends; incised on one side with a hexagram and on the other with a pentacle and various subsidiary markings Sandstone; thick; on one face incised Pictish symbol of 'spectacles' crossed by rod
Dimensions:	2.20" L 2.30" D 5.90" L
What:	Disc Pebble Phalanx, ox / playing piece
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Burrian Scotland, Orkney, North Ronaldsay, Burrian Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
Event:
Description:	Pictish sandstone pebble incised on one side with a hexagram and on the other with a pentacle and various subsidiary markings, from Burrian Ox phalanx with incised Pictish symbols, possibly a playing piece or king piece, from Burrian Thick sandstone disc with an incised Pictish symbol of 'spectacles' crossed by a rod on one face, from Jarlshof
References:	MacGregor, Arthur. The Broch of Burrian, North Ronaldsay, Orkney. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 105 (1972-4), pp 63-118, esp. pp 88, 95-6, 111, 113.
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