Written In Stone, The Mystery Lives On

    Fresh from another lecture I feel eager to get down some thoughts and opinions on the topic involved. This week we looked at the 'Origins Of Communication', and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into a local phenomenon.

    Feeling something of an ancestral pull by my ancient forefathers, I feel happily obliged to introduce the uninitiated to the world of the Picts and their mysterious standing stones.

The Standing Stones, Callanish, Isle of Lewis.

 
     The Picts were were the ancient natives of the land now known as Scotland. When the Romans conquered Britain, the land to the north known to the Romans as Caledonia, was home to fierce, colourful and culturally rich tribes known to the Romans as the 'Picti' (Painted Ones). Very little is known of these mysterious people in real terms, as their presence was later absorbed by the kingdom of Scotland when the 'Scotti' came through the west from the Emerald Isle, known as Ireland.

     Very little remains to prove their existence, apart from some of their physical treasures and weaponry, and a few personal names, such as 'Carr' and 'Marr', and a number of place names mainly beginning with Pitt, such as Pitlochry and Pitcarmick. The most enigmatic evidence left by the Picts, exists in the form of their enthralling standing stones, and the symbols carved upon them.

     The stones left all over Scotland by the Picts remain the most curious facet of their culture, with no one completely understanding where the symbols used first appeared. Over 350 stones have been discovered so far, and over all the stones there are around forty different symbols or ideograms that occur over the range designs. The symbols appearing were grouped into three categories :

     The abstract designs, such as the 'Double-disc and Z-Rod' and the 'Crescent and V-Rod'. These symbols are not representational, and highly stylised, and are some of the most recognisable symbols associated with the Picts.

The Serpent Stone, Aberlemno.

     Secondly, we have the creatures. These consist of real creatures, that were native to the lands of Scotland, such as snakes, salmons and wolves. However mystical creatures appear on some stones. The most well known case is that of the 'Pictish Beast', a unique mythical creature with a dolphin-like face. The creature only exists in the form of Pictish carvings, and is a mysterious figure, one which I find very interesting, it being an example of the Picts imagination and mythology. 

 

     The last group consists of ordinary objects, such as a hammer and anvil, or the mirror and the comb. These objects were not as fantastical as the other symbols used by the Picts, however they may have had a more practical meaning in their culture. They often appear in pairs and towards the bottom of the stones.

     The meanings of the symbols used are not known, and perhaps never will be, with their true meaning lost in time, along with most of their culture. It is believed that they are not a communication of language, as certain discoveries demonstrate a written Pictish language that existed, suggesting that the stones may have a more symbolic or interpretative meaning. It is amazing to wonder why the Picts would erect these stones over an area hundreds of miles in each direction, with the symbols used being consistent to a degree. Even more so, when you consider that the period during which these stones were made was around 300 years in length. Some of the symbols used on the stones are not unique to the rocks, symbols matching them have been found decorating ordinary objects such as jewellery, and painted on cave walls. 

'The Wolfstone', Hill of Keillor, by Cameron Mitchell

 

     Many people have attempted to interpret what the symbols used actually mean, but ultimately these are only the opinions of individuals, as no one can actually state with authority the meaning of these shapes, due to a lack of other evidence which blocks our full understanding of the stones. Without a 'Rosetta Stone' style of discovery, the interpretation of the stones will forever be uncertain and down to the individual viewing the stone to make of it what they will.

     For me, while I may form opinions on what the symbols could mean, I know that they are only my interpretation, and instead I prefer to view the stones and symbols as a link to my heritage, a concrete and tactile way in which to appreciate my history and just where I came from. I also am in awe at the craftsmanship and artwork that went into making these carvings, considering that they have stood the test of time for over 1000 years. 

 

(all pictures used are the copyright of the relevant owners. No copyright infringement intended.)