Lang Stane, Aberdeen facts for kids
The Lang Stane is a tall, ancient stone found in Aberdeen, Scotland. It's a type of standing stone called a menhir. Today, you can see it tucked into a special spot at 10 Langstane Place. This street is just off Union Street, a main road in Aberdeen.
Contents
The Mysterious Lang Stane
A Stone from the Past
Scientists think the Lang Stane is very old. It might have been part of a recumbent stone circle. These are special stone circles found in Aberdeenshire. They usually date back to about 3000 BC. That's about 5,000 years ago! The bottom of the stone is shaped like a boat's keel. This shape is common for stones in these ancient circles.
What Was It Used For?
The Lang Stane might have been a boundary marker. This means it showed the edge of a piece of land. Some people believe it marked the boundary of a farm called Craibstone Croft. This area was also the site of the Battle of Craibstone in 1571.
Even though it's near its old boundary spot, the stone's exact location has likely changed. It was probably moved when Union Street and other buildings were constructed.
How Big is the Stone?
The Lang Stane is about 1.8 meters (nearly 6 feet) tall. It is 0.68 meters (about 2.2 feet) wide. Its thickness is around 0.3 meters (about 1 foot).
The Stone on Old Maps
On a map of Aberdeen from 1746, the Lang Stane can be seen close to where it is now. This map was made before Langstane Place was built. However, the map does not show it as part of a stone circle.
The Name 'Langstane'
The name 'Langstane' is very common in Aberdeen. The area where the stone sits was even called the Langstane political ward. You can find the name in many local businesses. Examples include the former Langstane Kirk (now called Soul), Langstane Press, and Langstane Housing Association.
Other 'Lang Stanes' Nearby
Interestingly, there are other standing stones in the Aberdeen area with the same name. These include the Lang Stane of Hilton within the city. There is also the Lang Stane of Auquhollie just south of Aberdeen.
