Fragment of a cross

Add to album

This fragment of a sandstone cross was found at Lethnott in Angus. It dates from between 800 and 900.

This side of the fragment has an incomplete Latin inscription, carved in a Hiberno-Saxon script, reading '...filii Medicii...'. This translates as '...the son of Medicius...'.

Latin was brought to Scotland by the Christian church. Latin inscriptions were carved on some stones and the occasional object in this period. Most people, however, were illiterate.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-043-486-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IB 132
• Date: Between 800 and 900
  
• Material: Sandstone; double spiral and interlaced ornament carved on one side, inscription on other
  Cross / fragment
  
• Dimensions: 190 mm H x 50 mm L x 110 mm W
  
• What: Cross / fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Angus, Lethnott
  
• Event:
• Description: Fragment of a sandstone cross carved on one side with a double spiral and interlaced ornament and inscribed on the other with Hiberno-Saxon lettering, from Lethnott, Angus
  
• References:
  • Allen, J.R. and Anderson, J. The early Christian Monuments of Scotland. Edinburgh: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1903, pp 262-3. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: