Woodwrae Stone facts for kids
The Woodwrae Stone is a special ancient stone from Scotland. It was made by the Picts, a group of people who lived in Scotland a long time ago. This stone is called a "Class II Pictish Stone" because it has a cross on one side and special symbols on the other. It was carved around the 8th or 9th century.
The stone was found in 1819 at Woodwrae in Angus, Scotland. It was discovered when people were clearing the old Woodwrae castle. Surprisingly, it was being used as a floor slab in the castle's kitchen! After it was found, the stone was given to Sir Walter Scott, a famous writer. Today, you can see the Woodwrae Stone at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Quick facts for kids The Woodwrae Stone |
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The Woodwrae Stone
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| Material | Old Red Sandstone |
| Height | 1.75 metres (5.7 ft) |
| Symbols |
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| Discovered | 1819 |
| Place | Woodwrae, Angus, Scotland |
| Present location | Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh |
| Coordinates | 55°56′49″N 3°11′21″W / 55.946991°N 3.189183°W |
| Classification | Class II cross slab |
| Culture | Picto-Scottish |
Contents
Where Was the Stone Found?
The Woodwrae Stone was found near where Woodwrae castle used to be. This spot is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) north of Aberlemno in Angus. The stone was being used as a floor tile in the castle's kitchen.
In 1819, the stone was moved to the home of Sir Walter Scott, called Abbotsford House. It stayed there for many years. Later, in 1924, it was given to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Now, it is a special item in the Museum of Scotland.
What Does the Stone Look Like?
The Woodwrae Stone is a tall stone slab. It is about 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches) high. It is 1.02 meters (3 feet 4 inches) wide at the bottom and gets a bit narrower at the top. The stone is about 12.5 centimeters (5 inches) thick.
Both sides of the stone have carvings that stick out from the surface. This type of carving is called "relief." Because it has both a cross and Pictish symbols, it is known as a Class II stone.
The Cross Side
One side of the stone used to have a large cross. This cross was shaped like a flower, but someone deliberately removed or damaged it. Even though the cross is gone, you can still see its borders. These borders are decorated with amazing patterns.
The patterns include "knotwork," which looks like woven ropes, and "keywork," which looks like maze-like keys. There are also "spiral work" designs. Around where the cross used to be, there are carvings of strange, imaginary creatures. One creature even has human legs hanging from its mouth! Similar creatures can be seen on other Pictish stones and old Irish crosses.
The Symbol Side
The other side of the stone has been damaged quite a lot over time. It is split into three main parts. The top part shows a person riding a horse. It also has a special Pictish symbol called a "double disc." There is also a "step symbol."
The bottom two-thirds of this side show another person on a horse. There are also carvings of different animals, including a bull. These symbols and animals tell us about the Picts' beliefs and daily life.
Connections to Other Stones
The Woodwrae Stone was found very close to Aberlemno, another place famous for its Pictish stones. Because they are so close and look similar, some people think the Woodwrae Stone might have originally come from Aberlemno.
Historians have noticed that many Pictish stones share similar designs. They believe there might have been a "school" or group of artists in the Aberlemno area who carved these stones. This group might have been influenced by artists from Iona, an island known for its early Christian art. Other stones that might belong to this "Aberlemno School" include some stones at Aberlemno itself, and stones found in places like Kirriemuir and Monifieth.
Images for kids
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The Woodwrae Stone
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Rear face of the Woodwrae Stone
