Archaeology Notes

Event ID 772077

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/772077

NX44SW 56.01 4449 4028

(1) Roughly squared pillar stone with inscription. The stone was found in 1891, probably near the early church.

The inscription in twelve horizontal lines reads:

(ET) DOMINU(M)/LAUSAMUS/LATINUS/ANNORU(M)/XXXV ET/FILIA

SUA/ANN(ORUM) IV/(H)IC SI(G)NUM/FECERUT/NEPUS/BARROVA/DI

(We praise the Lord, Latinus, aged thirty-five and his daughter, age four. The grandson Barrovadus set up the monument here.)

The letters, although some are carelessly formed, are all Roman capitals. The allusion in the opening words is to the 146th psalm (I will praise the Lord in my life), which forms part of the Roman office for the dead. the erection of the memorial stone by the surviving relative is frequently attested in early Christian memorials.

The pillar was a gravestone and dates from the middle of the 5th century. It is the earliest Christian memorial in Scotland.

Radford and Donaldson 1953b, 38.