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| Canmore ID |
34861 |
SCRAP ID |
2633 |
| Location OS Grid Ref: |
NO 52277 55918
|
Team |
Not in team
|
|
Existing Classifications
|
| Classification |
Period |
| CUP MARKED STONE |
PREHISTORIC |
| PICTISH SYMBOL STONE |
PICTISH |
|
| Date Fieldwork Started |
04/05/2021 |
Date Fieldwork Completed |
|
| New Panel? |
No |
|
A1. Identifiers
| Panel Name |
ABERLEMNO |
Number |
1 |
| Other names |
ABERLEMNO NO. 1; SERPENT STONE. |
| HER/SMR |
|
SM Number |
|
Other |
ScRAP 3429 |
Classifications And Periods
| Classification 1 |
Pictish Symbol Stone |
Period 1 |
Pictish |
| Classification 2 |
Natural Feature |
Period 2 |
Period Unassigned |
County
ANGUS
A2. Grid Reference(original find site)
| OS NGR |
NO |
52277 |
55918 |
| New OS NGR |
|
|
|
| Lat/Long |
56.69254 |
-2.78077 |
| Obtained By: |
GPS
|
A3. Current Location & Provenance
| Located |
|
| Accession no. |
Not given |
B1. Landscape Context
| Weather |
Light Rain
|
| Position in landscape |
|
| Topography(terrain within about 500m of panel.) |
|
| Aspect of slope (if on sloping terrain e.g. S, SE etc.) |
|
B2. Current land use & vegetation
Other:Side of B9134 Road
B3. Forestry
B4. Archaeological Features within 200m / or visible from the panel
B5. Location Notes
The panel is located on the S side of the B9134 road surrounded by semicircular stone dyke and interpretation panel 'Aberlemno 1' or the 'Serpent Stone'. It is the furthest E of group of three Pictish Symbol standing stones. It bears Pictish Symbols described as a serpent, double disc and Z-rod , and a mirror and comb on one face On the rear of the stone there are six large circular depressions which have been described as cup-marks. It is commonly thought that the Serpent Stone is a much earlier megalith that was re-used by the Picts. However, the cup-like depressions are not uniform in depth, diameter, or profile. No peck marks or rings are visible. A groove between two of the lowest depressions is wide and flared. All of these depressions are characteristic of natural weathering.
Previous Notes
This Pictish Symbol Stone, known as Aberlemno No.1, stands on the south side of the road from Forfar to Brechin, a short distance to the north of Aberlemno church. Dating to about the 7th century AD, it bears three Pictish symbols, usually described as the serpent, the double disc and Z-rod, and the mirror and comb.
Information from RCAHMS (SC, JBS) 7 September 2007
An image of this site has been nominated as one of Scotland's favourite archive images. For more information about the project visit http://www.treasuredplaces.org.uk
Drawings made by James Skene.
Drawings made by P Chalmers.
Photos taken during a field trip by the Edinburgh University Archaeology Fieldschool.
NO55NW 8.01 5227 5591.
No.1. A Class I symbol stone stands adjacent to the public road 245m N of Aberlemno Church. On one face there are a serpent, a double disc with Z-rod, a mirror and a comb; near the bottom on the back there are six cup-marks.
RCAHMS 1983.
C1. Panel Type
| In the landscape |
Boulder/Slab |
|
C2. Panel Dimensions, Slope & Orientation
Dimensions of panel (m to one decimal place)
| Length (longer axis) |
|
Width |
|
| Height (max) |
|
Height (min) |
|
Approximate slope of carved surface
Orientation (Aspect e.g. NW)
| Rock Surface |
|
Carved Surface |
|
Carved Surface |
|
C3. Rock Surface
| Surface Compactness |
Hard
|
Grain Size |
Fine
|
Visible Anomalies |
Not Visible
|
Rock Type |
Sandstone
|
C4. Surface Features
- Fissures/cracks
- Natural Hollows
- Bedding Planes
- Weathering Channels
- Rough surface
C5. Panel Notes
No notes added
C6. Probability
The probability that there is any rock art on the panel is
not mentioned
Comments
The depressions on the rear face of the standing stone appear to be entirely due to natural weathering.
C7. MOTIFS
Visible Tool Marks? No
Visible Peck Marks? No
D1. Access
- Right to Roam access.
- Panel is on Private land.
- There is and interpretation on site.
D2. Awareness
- Panel was known before the project.
- This panel is known to others in the local community.
There are stories or folk traditions associated with this panel No
D3. Risk
Natural
Animal
Human
- The rock is located on/nearby a path or place where people might walk.
- The rock is in an area with visitor facilities.
Comments and other potential threats
No comments added
