Cross

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This stone cross was found at Balnahard on Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides. It was carved sometime between 900 and 1100.

The cross was pierced with four circular holes at angles in the cross head. Below this is some crude interlace work. The cross is incomplete.

Christianity was introduced to Scotland after the Romans had left. In 563 Columba founded the monastery of Iona, and it in turn influenced many other Christian sites in western and northern Scotland.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-455-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 42
• Date: Between 900 and 1100
  
• Material: Stone; interlaced work; pierced with four circular holes; imperfect
  
• Dimensions: 34.00" x 10.00" x 2.00"
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Argyll, Colonsay, Balnahard
  
• Event:
• Description: Stone cross with interlaced work, from Balnahard, Colonsay
  
• References:
  • Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, vol. 2, pp 379-80. 
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