Sculptured stone (Piece)

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This piece of a sculptured stone, probably a cross slab, is from Burghead in Moray. It provides evidence about the weapons carried by Pictish warriors. The stone was carved sometime between 700 and 900.

The stone is carved in deep relief. One side shows a warrior on horseback carrying a round shield suspended by shoulder straps. The reverse has interlace ornament in two panels.

The large fort at Burghead was a major Pictish settlement. A number of carvings have been found there, many depicting boars. Pictish stones from elsewhere in Scotland also show men with shields, some square or oblong, others round.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-469-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 96
• Date: Between 700 and 900
  
• Material: Stone; sculptured, on one side a man on horseback with spear, on other a pattern of double spirals
  Stone / fragment
  
• Dimensions: 7.50" x 9.50" x 2.25"
  
• What: Stone / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Moray, Burghead
  
• Event:
• Description: Sculptured stone fragment with mounted warrior on one side, from Burghead, Moray
  
• References:
  • Allen, J. R. & Anderson, J. The early Christian monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, vol. 2, p. 138. 
• Translations:
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