Rodney's Stone facts for kids
Rodney's Stone is a tall, ancient stone found in Scotland. It stands about two meters high, which is like two average-sized adults standing on top of each other! You can find it near Brodie Castle in Moray, Scotland. This special stone was made by the Picts, who were an ancient people living in Scotland a very long time ago.
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What is Rodney's Stone?
Rodney's Stone is known as a Pictish cross slab. This means it's a large stone with a Christian cross carved on one side. On the other side, it has mysterious symbols that the Picts used. It was first found near an old church in a place called Dyke and Moy. Today, it is a protected historical site.
What Makes it a Class II Stone?
Historians classify Pictish stones into different groups. Rodney's Stone is a Class II Pictish stone. This means it has two main features:
- A cross carved on one side.
- Pictish symbols carved on the other side.
This type of stone shows a time when the Picts were becoming Christian, but they still kept their older traditions and symbols.
The Symbols on the Stone
The side of Rodney's Stone without the cross is covered in interesting carvings. These carvings are called secular depictions, which means they are not religious.
- At the very top, you can see two strange creatures that look like fish monsters.
- Below them is a carving of a "Pictish Beast". This is a common and mysterious animal shape found on many Pictish stones. No one is quite sure what animal it is meant to be!
- Even further down, there is a "double disc" and a "Z-rod". These are two other common Pictish symbols. Their exact meaning is still a puzzle to experts today.
The Cross and Animals
On the other side of Rodney's Stone, there is a large cross. This cross shows the Christian faith that was spreading among the Picts. Around the cross, there are also carvings of animals. These animals might have had special meanings to the Picts, or they could just be decorative.
The Longest Pictish Message
One of the most exciting things about Rodney's Stone is its inscription. An inscription is writing carved into a surface. This stone has the longest inscription of all known Pictish stones! The writing is found on both of the narrow sides and even on the cross face.
The writing is in the Ogham alphabet. This was an ancient way of writing using lines and notches, often carved along the edge of a stone. Much of the writing on Rodney's Stone is hard to read now because it has worn away over time. However, experts have been able to make out one important Pictish name: Ethernan. This name is written as "EDDARRNON". Ethernan was a well-known Pictish saint, which means he was a very important religious figure to the Picts.
Protecting History
Rodney's Stone is a scheduled ancient monument. This means it is a very important historical site that is protected by law. This protection helps make sure that this amazing piece of Pictish history will be preserved for many more years for everyone to see and learn from.
