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Watenan Description of stone
Event ID 1037102
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Early Medieval Carved Stones Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1037102
Watenan, Caithness, Pictish symbol stone
Measurements: H0.98m, W 0.98m, D 0.52m-0.61m
Stone type: flagstone
Place of discovery: ND 3117 40763
Present location: Caithness Horizons, Thurso.
Evidence for discovery: the stone was found in two pieces in 1977 in close proximity to a platform cairn of Pictish type. The larger fragment lay beside the cairn and the smaller fragment lay on top of it.
Present condition: broken and incomplete, but the carving is in good condition.
Description
These two fragments form the lower portion of a symbol stone bearing the lower part of a carefully incised crescent and V-rod symbol. The interior of the crescent has been decorated, probably with a pelta design.
Date: seventh century.
Primary references: Gourlay 1984; Ashmore 1981; Fraser 2008, no 105; Blackie & Macaulay 1998, no 6.
Desk-based information compiled by A Ritchie 2016
