They did things a little differently in Pictland
Psychogeography or the Smell of Water has been on his wanderings again. And come back with these marvellous Hogbank stones from 'Up North' as you might say. Early medieval with a strong touch of the Scandinavian influence. If you peruse his blogs he has also been to the Kilmartin Glen, somewhere I shall probably never go to but am glad others do it for me!
I wrote about the Hogbacks at Lythe Church here. Which is just outside Sandsend, which in turn is but a couple of miles from Whitby. These early medieval coffin stones tell us of a settled community down by the sea. The raiders had become part of the landscape.
The Monymusk Reliquary
I love the bears biting the ends of the hogsbacks, and the tiling on the "roof". The ones at Meigle are SO different and the "roof tiles" - given that these had a fish tail I think he said - made me wonder if it was a hybrid with the Salmon of Wisdom . . . Amazing things and makes me also wonder how long they took to execute.
ReplyDeleteKilmartin Glen is AMAZING. A shame you've not been as I've never seen so much archaeology all in one spot. Somewhere we have a photo of Danny (aged about 8) tucked into a Cist there . . .
I love the old stories about the Celtic salmon, there are 'fish-tails' in a couple of the stones. Berserker furious bears as well, the writing of stories in stones, our gravestones are quite boring compared to these.
DeleteJust suddenly noted, as I went back to your link to that earlier post of yours again, how they reminded me of the Moneymusk Reliquary - in bear jaws. I wonder if the interpretation was a Reliquary for the Soul?
ReplyDeleteFound an old print of the Monymusk Reliquary Jennie see above.
DeleteI have spent many wet hours in the Kilmartin Glen for you. Cup and ring territory.
ReplyDeleteThat is sweet of you Tom, have you really there? Also maybe that marvellous old carved Pictish stonework could be an inspiration to you.
ReplyDeleteBeen there. Annoying habit of mine missing words out!!
DeleteYes I have, including the little shelter full of the crosses. Lovely place.
DeleteGoodness, there's a whole lot of unfamiliar terms and words here. I've been off to google for a time. Now I will head to bed. I can always read tomorrow.
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