Ancient Scottish Carvings: What Do They De-Pict?
By Madina Burkhanova
The origin myth of the Picts claims that they sailed to what is now northern and eastern Scotland from Ancient Scythia. The catch is that this is a fable spread by the Picts themselves; having a formidable origin story in the classical world would all but ensure ease in claiming rulership. In reality, archaeological studies have shown that the Picts were most likely descended from other native groups in Scotland - specifically, the Caledones or the Vacomagi. Estimated to have lived roughly between AD 300 and AD 1000, little is factually known of the Picts. However, their fierceness is almost undoubted; they were part of the reason the Roman Empire never conquered Scotland. What is known of the lives of the Picts in the highlands of Scotland can be largely attributed to stone sculptures that continue to be found across the country.
Pictish symbols were a large part of the group’s identity and the heritage that they have left behind. These characters live on in jewellery, on stone masonry, and even on cave walls. Carvings of individuals made by the Picts give some insight into the traits that were valued by the community; one carving depicts a woman in a long cloak riding a horse into battle, another shows an elderly scholar with a pointed beard.
Pictish carving, The Bullion Stone from Invergowrie, c. AD 900 - AD 950, stone, Angus.
One motif of note is that many carvings feature mirrors and combs, which could be an indication of the importance of appearance in Pictish society.
Pictish carving, Aberlemno Symbol Stone, c. AD 600 - AD 700, old red sandstone, 1.88x0.84x0.24 metres, Aberlemno.
In March of 2022, archaeologists in Aberdeenshire unearthed a stone slab measuring over five feet long and riddled with geometric symbols that were identified as being Pictish. A massive hint was, in fact, that several mirrors and combs sculpted were throughout the body of the slab. Additionally, the stone was found in Aberlemno, a town with preexisting Pictish roots. The town is known for being a site for standing Pictish stones in particular.
What do the symbols mean? Gordon Noble, professor at the University of Aberdeen and leader of excavation of the slab, hypothesised that they are a “naming system representing Pictish names.” This is a theory that has been linked to previous discoveries of similar stones, with the general consensus being that the geometrical figures carved by the Picts were almost akin to signatures. That being said, with all that is known of the Picts, only 200 such stone carvings have been found. Interestingly, the stone found in Aberlemno features overlapping symbols of varying breadth and depth, perhaps hinting that the carvings were made at different points in time. The discovery of a stone so colossal was a moment of awe for the archaeologists; Noble says that “genuine tears” were shed.
Pictish carving, Aberlemno Symbol Stone, c. AD 500 - AD 900, stone, 1.7 metres, Aberlemno.
Pictish culture lives on throughout the ages - in an early modern take of Pictish warriors created approximately four hundred years ago, artist John White depicted a ruthless, tattooed, figure riddled with fantastical body parts inspired by animals. Although disturbing and very detailed, the painting has little basis in fact. However, animals were indeed an integral part of life for the Picts. Agriculture was focal for them, with both flora and fauna featuring regularly in carvings. Sculptures also indicate that the Picts partook in hunting activities - specifically, the hunting of deer.
Much is to be discovered about the Picts. An enigmatic peoples, they remain an indomitable force in Scottish history. What is known about them lives on through art; discoveries such as the one in Aberlemno bring us closer and closer to understanding their world every day.
Bibliography
Canmore.org.uk. “Aberlemno 1”. Angus: Historic Environment Scotland, 2001. Accessed 30 November 2022. https://canmore.org.uk/site/34861/aberlemno-1.
Geggel, Laura. “Mysterious Pictish Symbols Discovered in Scotland are the ‘Find of a Lifetime’”. Scotland: Science Alert, 23 March 2022. Accessed 30 November 2022. https://www.sciencealert.com/archaeologists-uncover-unkown-symbols-carved-by-the-painted-people-of-scotland.
Maclean, Daniel. “Who Were the Picts?” Scotland: Dig It!, 2022. Accessed 30 November 2022. https://www.digitscotland.com/who-were-the-picts/#:~:text=But%20based%20on%20archaeological%20evidence,AD%20300%20to%20AD%20900.