2024

NR8398 : Poltalloch Stones

taken 2 years ago, near to Kilmartin, Argyll And Bute, Scotland

This is 1 of 3 images, with title Poltalloch Stones in this square
Poltalloch Stones
Poltalloch Stones
In Kilmartin Kirkyard. I wonder why these are not in a shelter like the rest of the Kilmartin stones?

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Anne Burgess and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Kilmartin Stones (provided by David Dixon)

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

Geographical Context: Historic sites and artefacts
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Kilmartin Stones [39] · Kilmartin Kirkyard [10] Title Clusters: · Poltalloch Stones [3] ·
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Grid Square
NR8398, 219 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Anne Burgess   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Tuesday, 10 September, 2024   (more nearby)
Submitted
Saturday, 21 September, 2024
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NR 8345 9882 [10m precision]
WGS84: 56:7.9688N 5:29.1839W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NR 8345 9882
View Direction
SOUTH (about 180 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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