Burghead Description of stone
Event ID 1022887
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Early Medieval Carved Stones Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1022887
Burghead 6, Moray, Pictish symbol stone fragment
Measurements: H 0.61m, W 0.46m, D 0.15m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NJ c 109 691
Present location: Elgin Museum (1886.1)
Evidence for discovery: one of many bull carvings said to have been found during quarrying of the wall of the upper citadel to find building stones from around 1800 onwards, of which six have survived (Macdonald 1862). This stone was found in 1884 during building work on the south quay and was presented to Elgin Museum.
Present condition: there is considerable edge damage to this fragment and less than half the carving survives in a flaked condition.
Description
This fragment is deeply incised with the forequarters of a bull walking towards the right. His head is at rest in normal pose with no sign of aggression.
Date: seventh century.
References: Macdonald 1862, 347, 355-7; ECMS pt 3, 123-4; Henderson & Henderson 2004, 31-5; Scott 2005; Fraser 2008, no 152.6.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2017.
