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MHG47321 - Carved stone, panel fragments, Rosemarkie No 8 - Rosemarkie church graveyard

Summary

Two conjoined fragments of a small panel carved on one face with extremely regular key pattern. It may relate to the two longer and wider panels originally thought to be "... stone coffins of rude workmanship.." It was one of a collection of carved stones previously stored in the disused vestry/grave-diggers' store attached to Rosemarkie Church.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

Two adjoining portions of a panel of key-pattern (Groam House 1992.4 1-2).
MS/1785.

Rosemarkie 8, Ross & Cromarty, church furniture, panel fragments
Measurements: H 0.33m, W 0.51m +
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NH 7372 5763
Present location: Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie (ROMGH.1992.4)
Evidence for discovery:
Present condition: worn and broken into two fragments.
Description:
These two conjoining fragments are carved on one broad face with a plain flatband border enclosing diagonal key pattern
Date: eighth or ninth century.
References: Seright & Henderson 2013, 10.
Early Medieval Carved Stones Project, A Ritchie 2017. <1>

These two fragments are part of a collection of carved stones previously stored in the disused vestry/grave-diggers' store attached to Rosemarkie Church. They were noted by the RCAHMS in their survey of 1979 and were brought into Groam House Museum in 1982. The conjoined fragments of a panel framed on two sides with a plain moulding is decorated on one face in relief. The decoration consists of diagonally set key-pattern made up of interlocking Z-shaped elements. If set so that the borders are horizontal it appears similar to the other panels at the site decorated with abstract ornament. On the other hand there is no horizontal uncarved area suitable for supporting it in a plinth. When complete it could have slotted into vertical grooves in a slab. One edge is dressed smooth while the other edge is roughly tooled, factors supporting the view that the panel was used in a position where the borders were a horizontal top and bottom edge. <2>

NGR adjusted based on 2015 aerial photographs. <3>

Note; Precise find spot not known so indicative find area only (T.Blackie 3/3/2021).

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 737 576 (4m by 4m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH75NW
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	ROSEMARKIE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

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External Links (1)