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History => Ancient and Medieval History => Topic started by: Imperial Dave on Dec 10, 2020, 07:09 PM

Title: 1200-year-old Pictish stone found in Easter Ross to be shown in Dingwall Museum
Post by: Imperial Dave on Dec 10, 2020, 07:09 PM
https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/significant-ancient-pictish-stone-takes-up-new-home-in-museum-221128/

quite a significant example
Title: Re: 1200-year-old Pictish stone found in Easter Ross to be shown in Dingwall Museum
Post by: DBS on Dec 10, 2020, 09:17 PM
As best as I can make out, seems to have a kneeling figure with short sword and buckler in what looks to be a hunting scene?
Title: Re: 1200-year-old Pictish stone found in Easter Ross to be shown in Dingwall Museum
Post by: Erpingham on Dec 11, 2020, 09:56 AM
The pencil drawing interprets it as a mythological scene, with a bird or animal headed figure attacked by a centaur with an axe, accompanied by what appears to be a lion.  The bird headed fellow and his dog may be protecting a herd of cattle.

I must admit, from the pictures, I'm sure neither of the bird head or the centaur, and a human cattle herd and dog facing off against wild beasts seems possible.
Title: Re: 1200-year-old Pictish stone found in Easter Ross to be shown in Dingwall Museum
Post by: DBS on Dec 11, 2020, 10:14 AM
Quote from: Erpingham on Dec 11, 2020, 09:56 AM
The pencil drawing interprets it as a mythological scene, with a bird or animal headed figure attacked by a centaur with an axe, accompanied by what appears to be a lion.  The bird headed fellow and his dog may be protecting a herd of cattle.

I must admit, from the pictures, I'm sure neither of the bird head or the centaur, and a human cattle herd and dog facing off against wild beasts seems possible.
Also, a centaur would require a very specific spot of Greek mythological importation.
Title: Re: 1200-year-old Pictish stone found in Easter Ross to be shown in Dingwall Museum
Post by: Imperial Dave on Dec 11, 2020, 10:34 AM
it does seem to stretch the interpretation somewhat
Title: Re: 1200-year-old Pictish stone found in Easter Ross to be shown in Dingwall Museum
Post by: Duncan Head on Dec 11, 2020, 10:46 AM
Quote from: DBS on Dec 11, 2020, 10:14 AM
Also, a centaur would require a very specific spot of Greek mythological importation.
It wouldn't be the first centaur on a Pictish stone - the Glamis no.2 stone (https://canmore.org.uk/site/32067/glamis) has a centaur wielding two axes, and there's an odd-looking one on the Maiden stone (https://canmore.org.uk/site/18978/chapel-of-garioch-the-maiden-stone).
Title: Re: 1200-year-old Pictish stone found in Easter Ross to be shown in Dingwall Museum
Post by: Imperial Dave on Dec 11, 2020, 11:32 AM
Quote from: Duncan Head on Dec 11, 2020, 10:46 AM
Quote from: DBS on Dec 11, 2020, 10:14 AM
Also, a centaur would require a very specific spot of Greek mythological importation.
It wouldn't be the first centaur on a Pictish stone - the Glamis no.2 stone (https://canmore.org.uk/site/32067/glamis) has a centaur wielding two axes, and there's an odd-looking one on the Maiden stone (https://canmore.org.uk/site/18978/chapel-of-garioch-the-maiden-stone).

thanks Duncan, I stand corrected. That canmore site is very good...
Title: Re: 1200-year-old Pictish stone found in Easter Ross to be shown in Dingwall Museum
Post by: DBS on Dec 11, 2020, 12:26 PM
Thank you, Duncan.  Intriguing.
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