New findings revealed under Aberlemno III after excavation
A remnant of an older Pictish stone and a mysterious medieval head was found under Aberlemno III’s base stone and in the topsoil around where it stood. Preliminary results of excavation also show that Aberlemno III has likely been moved on the same spot before
Archaeologists from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and AOC Archaeology have revealed unexpected new stone carvings discovered during the excavation of the base stone of Aberlemno III. The discovery of a fragment of an older Pictish stone with part of a fish motif, and an intriguing fragment of a carved face in relief which may be Early Medieval, shows that Aberlemno III still holds many secrets yet to be unveiled.
The fragment of the older Pictish stone has been incised with what seems to be a salmon motif, one of the most recognisable naturalistic motifs in the Pictish symbol repertoire. The salmon motif is only found on stones across northern and eastern Scotland, usually on older Pictish stones, and the fragment was found propping up the base stone. This means that the stone it comes from may already have been in pieces by the time the base stone was added to Aberlemno III, but analysis of the other finds and samples taken during the excavation is needed to further determine when this all could have taken place.
A relief carving of part of a human head was also found in the topsoil during the excavation. This carving seems to be unrelated to any known Pictish monument in the area, as it does not seem to fit on the existing slab of Aberlemno III. Its form and appearance strongly indicates that it is Early Medieval in origin, but further research is needed. The head suggests that further carved monuments may lie in wait under the earth for experts to uncover in Aberlemno, an area steeped in Scottish history and archaeology.
Under the base stone, the team discovered two features which may have been settings for erected stones. One of these pits could be an earlier location for Aberlemno III, which would have meant the stone initially faced north-south and was orientated towards Aberlemno Kirk, where another Pictish stone stands. If this is an earlier setting, the stone then either fell or was moved and the base stone was added for Aberlemno III to sit in, and the orientation of the stone was changed to east-west, the standard Christian alignment.
It is clear that the place of Aberlemno still holds many secrets. We would like to thank the Aberlemno community for their support during the excavation, and we will continue to share our findings
Stefan North-Sagrott, Senior Cultural Resources Advisor at HES, said:
“The initial results of the excavation by AOC have already exceeded our expectations. The discovery of the Pictish stone fragment, as well as the carved head, give us new questions to answer.
“We have learned that Aberlemno III has likely remained in its original location, but that it was moved or fell and the base stone was added later, while a piece of an older Pictish stone was used to prop it up. We are unsure how the head fits into this, and we are excited to start the next phase of post-excavation analysis and research to see how much more we can discover.
“The base stone has now been brought to Edinburgh for further analysis and to retrieve the section of Aberlemno III which is still embedded in the stone where it broke. This will likely reveal further carvings not seen for hundreds of years. Analysis of the base stone will also give further insight into Aberlemno III’s history, though the excavation itself has already revealed a previously unknown chapter in its story.
“It is clear that the place of Aberlemno still holds many secrets. We would like to thank the Aberlemno community for their support during the excavation, and we will continue to share our findings as we learn more.”
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and the Historic Scotland shop are sub-brands of HES.
More about our communications office
Keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases
Contact
For further information, please contact:
Historic Environment Scotland Communications Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot