£20,000 crowdfunding campaign launched for 'uniquely significant' Pictish treasure unearthed in Ross-shire; stone set to go on display in Dingwall
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A RARE find that has thrilled archaeologists is at the centre of a newly launched crowdfunding campaign seeking to delve into the mysteries of the "uniquely significant" stone.
The slab believed to have been carved around 1200 years ago bears two massive beasts "unlike anything found on any other Pictish stone", according to one expert who is now spearheading a drive to raise £20,000 to have it repaired, cleaned and ultimately displayed in the county town.
The previously unknown carved Pictish cross-slab was recently found at an early Christian church site in the Dingwall area.
It is decorated with a number of Pictish symbols and it is likely to have originally stood over two-metres high.
The campaign to raise the £20,000 needed was jointly launched by the North of Scotland Archaeological Society and the Pictish Arts Society at the Recent Archaeological Discoveries and Research Conference in Inverness.
John Borland, President of the Pictish Arts Society and Measured Survey Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: "Easter Ross is home to many fine Pictish sculptured stones and yet this latest discovery still manages to add something new and exciting to that collection".
Dr Isabel Henderson, co-author of The Art of the Picts and widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading authorities on the Picts and their culture, said: "The new Dingwall cross-slab is a uniquely significant western extension of the prestigious Pictish symbol-bearing relief sculpture, notably connected with the tall slabs of Shandwick and Rosemarkie."
Mr Borland revealed images of the cross-side of stone, not released before. He said: “The two massive beasts that flank and surmount the cross are quite unlike anything found on any other Pictish stone. These two unique creatures serve to remind us that Pictish sculptors had a remarkable capacity for creativity and individuality. Careful assessment of this remarkable monument will be able to tell us much about the production of Pictish sculpture that we could never have guessed at.”
The stone, which was safely removed from the site by specialist conservators in August, had lain on the ground since at least the 1700s when it was reused as a grave marker. It now needs to be repaired, cleaned, recorded and mounted before being put on permanent public display at Dingwall Museum.
At Dingwall, the conserved stone is expected to make an impressive cultural attraction which will be of significant benefit to both the museum and the town.
All contributions, however small, will be gratefully received by the organisers. Donations can be made at their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/SponsorAPictishStone.
More information on the stone and the campaign can be found at www.nosas.co.uk/sponsorapictishstone.asp. Any money left over from the campaign will go towards a series of community events and workshops in the local area that will enhance understanding of the Pictish heritage of those who now live there.
The stone currently measures 1.5m by 0.6m by 0.2m. However it is broken and experts believe it may have originally stood up to 2.4-metres high. The stone is decorated with a number of Pictish designs including several mythical beasts, oxen, an animal-headed warrior with sword and shield, a double disc and z rod symbol and a large ornate Christian cross.
It is one of only about 50 complete or near complete Pictish cross-slabs known in the world, and the first to be discovered on the Scottish mainland for many years.
Related article: 'I really couldn’t believe what I was seeing'.
