St Vigeans Sculptured Stones Museum facts for kids
The St Vigeans Sculptured Stones Museum is a special place in the village of St Vigeans in Angus, Scotland. It's close to the town of Arbroath. This museum is home to an amazing collection of Pictish carved stones. These stones were made by the Picts, an ancient people who lived in Scotland a very long time ago.
St Vigeans was an important place in the Early Middle Ages (around 500 to 1000 AD). It was a royal estate, meaning it was owned by the king. It was also important for religion, with a monastery founded there in the 8th century. A monastery is a place where monks live and worship. The St Vigeans Church you see today was built much later, in the 12th century, on a 40-foot (12 m) high mound.
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Discovering Ancient Pictish Stones
The museum shows off 38 carved stones. These stones used to stand on the old church mound. They are a fantastic way to learn about the Picts and their art.
What Are Pictish Stones?
Pictish stones are large stones carved with symbols, pictures, and sometimes crosses. The Picts were a group of people who lived in what is now eastern and northern Scotland during the Early Middle Ages. They didn't leave many written records, so these stones are very important clues about their culture, beliefs, and how they lived.
The Famous Drosten Stone
One of the most famous stones in the museum is the Drosten Stone. This stone was carved in the 9th century. It's a flat, rectangular slab. On one side, it has a beautiful cross carved into it. On the other side, you can see mysterious Pictish symbols.
Unlocking the Drosten Stone's Secrets
What makes the Drosten Stone extra special is that it also has an inscription written in the Pictish language. This writing uses Latin script, which is the same type of alphabet we use today. It's one of the very few examples of the Pictish language written down, making it a valuable treasure for historians and linguists.
Visiting the Museum
The St Vigeans Sculptured Stones Museum is looked after by Historic Scotland. This is an organization that cares for Scotland's historic places. The museum is located in two old sandstone cottages. These cottages were built in the 19th century and are considered a "category B listed building." This means they are important historical buildings that are protected.
