Edderton Cross Slab facts for kids
The Edderton Cross Slab is an ancient stone monument found in the old graveyard of Edderton village in Easter Ross, Scotland. It's a special type of stone called a Pictish stone. These stones were made by the Picts, an ancient people who lived in Scotland many centuries ago. This particular stone is made of red sandstone and features beautiful carvings on both sides.
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What is the Edderton Cross Slab?
The Edderton Cross Slab stands proudly in the old graveyard of Edderton, a small village in Easter Ross. It's made from strong red sandstone. This stone is a Class III Pictish stone. This means it has a Christian cross carved on it, along with other designs.
Carvings on the Stone
The stone has carvings on both its western and eastern sides.
The Western Side
On the western side, you'll see a beautiful Celtic cross. This cross doesn't have many extra decorations. The circles within its rings stand out because they are carved in a way that makes them stick out from the stone.
The Eastern Side
The eastern side also has a cross on its upper part. This cross sits on a semi-circular base, almost like an arch. Inside this arch, there's a carving of a horseman. Below this, you can see two more riders carved into the stone.
The Stone's History
For a long time, the Edderton Cross Slab was buried quite deep in the ground. This meant that the lower two horsemen carvings on the eastern side were hidden from view. Recently, the stone was carefully raised to what experts believe was its original height. If you look at newer photos, you might notice that the lower part of the stone has less lichen (a type of moss) on it, showing where it was once buried.
Edderton Cross Slab vs. Edderton Symbol Stone
It's important not to confuse the Edderton Cross Slab with another important stone nearby. This other stone is called the Edderton Symbol Stone, or Clach Biorach (which means "Pointed Stone"). The Clach Biorach is a red sandstone pillar that dates back to the Bronze Age. It has different kinds of Pictish symbols carved into it. You can find it standing in a field a little to the west of Edderton village.
Other Discoveries
In the Edderton churchyard, archaeologists have also found other broken pieces of early medieval cross-slabs. These fragments are not in very good condition. However, they are kept safe and preserved at the Tain Museum for people to see and study.
