2009

NR8398 : Kilmartin Stones

taken 17 years ago, near to Kilmartin, Argyll And Bute, Scotland

This is 1 of 7 images, with title Kilmartin Stones in this square
Kilmartin Stones
Kilmartin Stones
The glass-roofed shelter displays carved grave slabs found in the vicinity. They are arranged in order of age, clockwise from the left.
Kilmartin Stones

The Kilmartin Stones are a collection of 79 ancient graveslabs at NR8398 : Kilmartin Parish Church. The earliest stones date back to the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries, with the most recent ones dated 1707 and 1712.

Originally, the stones would have been laid flat on the ground to cover a grave. After the Reformation, however, many of the stones were moved, and in 1956 they were moved inside a shelter to protect them from the weather. The symbolism of the motifs carved onto the slabs is the subject of much discussion and speculation. Many are marked by figures of warriors in contemporary dress with spears and swords; some alone, others with figures of fantastic animals, foliage and interlace patterns. Other motifs include crosses, animals and shears; a comb appears with shears on one stone. None are inscribed, so the identities of the persons commemorated are unknown. They can, however, be taken to be the monuments of the local landowning or minor noble class in late medieval times. The swords shown on many of the stones refer to warrior (or, more broadly, social) status.

LinkExternal link - Undiscovered Scotland
LinkExternal link and - LinkExternal link Wikipedia


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Anne Burgess and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Kilmartin Stones [39] · Grave Slabs [4] Title Clusters: · Kilmartin Stones [7] ·
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Grid Square
NR8398, 214 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Anne Burgess   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Thursday, 23 April, 2009   (more nearby)
Submitted
Monday, 27 April, 2009
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NR 834 989 [100m precision]
WGS84: 56:8.0158N 5:29.2364W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NR 833 989
View Direction
South-southeast (about 157 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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