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Latitude: 57.3611 / 57°21'40"N
Longitude: -2.65 / 2°39'0"W
OS Eastings: 360993
OS Northings: 830260
OS Grid: NJ609302
Mapcode National: GBR M9T8.8QV
Mapcode Global: WH8NC.87BQ
Entry Name: Picardy Stone, symbol stone
Scheduled Date: 30 November 1923
Last Amended: 3 March 1999
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM90239
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Crosses and carved stones: symbol stone
Location: Insch
County: Aberdeenshire
Electoral Ward: West Garioch
Traditional County: Aberdeenshire
The monument comprises a Class I Pictish symbol stone. It is in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and is being re-scheduled to clarify the extent of the protected area.
The monument stands in arable farmland, at around 180m OD. It comprises a rough slab of whinstone measuring about 2m high, about 0.5m thick, and measures some 0.9m wide at base, tapering to about 0.6m wide at the top. The S face of the slab is incised with three Pictish symbols: at the top of the slab, a double-disc and Z-rod; below this, a tightly coiled serpent and Z-rod; and below the serpent and Z-rod, a simple mirror.
Excavations around the stone in 1856 showed that it stood on a low cairn, 1.9m in diameter, beneath which was an extended grave. This is classified as an early Pictish symbol stone, as it bears none of the symbols of Christianity found on supposedly later Pictish symbol stones.
The area proposed for scheduling comprises the stone and an area around it within which related material may be expected to be found. It is circular with a diameter of 20m, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance because of its contribution to our understanding of Pictish art and monumental sculpture and because of the potential of associated below-ground remains for shedding further light on the connection between such Class I symbol stones and burials. The importance of the site is reflected in its status as a property in care.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as NJ 63 SW 3.
References:
Bibliography:
Allen, J. R. and Anderson, J. (1903) The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland, vol. III, 167-8, Edinburgh.
Cross, M. (1994) Bibliography of Monuments in the Care of the Secretary of State for Scotland, 475, Glasgow.
Shepherd, I. (1986) Exploring Scotland's Heritage: Grampian, 128, Edinburgh.
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Picardy Symbol Stone
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/picardy-symbol-stone
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Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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