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Burness
Carved Stone (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Burness
Classification Carved Stone (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Chapel Knowe
Canmore ID 1979
Site Number HY31NE 1.01
NGR HY 3882 1557
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/1979
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Firth
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
Burness, Chapel Knowe, Orkney, stone with carved graffiti
Measurements: H 0.15m – 0.20m, W 1.02m, D 0.03m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: HY 3882 1557
Present location: National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh (X.IB.201).
Evidence for discovery: found in 1922 when the broch mound was being quarried for stones.
Present condition: worn
Description
The smooth surface of this slab bears finely incised graffiti, probably carved with a knife while the stone was built horizontally into a wall. Firmly incised is a human figure in profile, some 60mm high, facing left and wearing a full cloak that reaches almost to the knees and has a distinct band down the front. It may be hooded, but the two or possibly three curls shown above the forehead suggest that an elaborate hairstyle is intended. A separate and more lightly incised graffito in front of the figure may represent a boat.
Date: early medieval.
References: Marwick 1924.
Compiled by A Ritchie 2017
HY31NE 1.01 3882 1557
Among finds from the broch is part of an incised stone, bearing a cloaked figure among other markings, which was donated to National Museum of Scotland in 1922 (Accession no. IB201).
H Marwick 1924.
