Paisley, Stanely Reservoir
Cross (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Paisley, Stanely Reservoir
Classification Cross (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Stanlie Green
Canmore ID 43148
Site Number NS46SE 24
NGR NS 4630 6159
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/43148
- Council Renfrewshire
- Parish Paisley (Renfrew)
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Renfrew
- Former County Renfrewshire
Stanlie, Renfrewshire, cross-shaft fragment
Measurements: H 1.17m, W 0.61m, D 0.23m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NS c 4615 6170
Present location: close to Staneley Reservoir at NS 4630 6159.
Evidence for discovery: the cross stood near Stanlie Green farm until the reservoir was constructed in 1838. It now stands close to the reservoir n a modern base.
Present condition: severely weathered with edge damage.
Description
This fragment of cross-shaft is carved on all four faces. Traces are visible on face A of a four-cord plait, a horseman and two beasts, on face C of two beasts and on the two narrow faces of two-cord twist.
Date: tenth century.
References: Stuart 1856, pl 117; ECMS pt 3, 461; MacQuarrie 2006, 15-16.
Desk-based nformation compiled by A Ritchie 2017
NS46SE 24 4630 6159.
(NS 4630 6159) Cross (NR) (remains of)
OS 1:10000 map (1973)
(NS 4630 6159) Standing Stone (NR)
(NS 4615 6170) Site of Standing Stone (NR)
OS 6" map (1912)
This mutilated Class III cross-shaft formerly stood (at NS 4615 6170) near the farm steading of Stanlie Green and was re-erected by the Paisley Water Company on the margin of their reservoir, to preserve it. It measures 3'10" x 2' x 8" - 9" thick; the front bears traces of a four-cord plait, a horseman and two beasts, while on the back are the remains of two beasts, and the sides show two bands twisted together.
J R Allen and J Anderson 1903; J Stuart 1856; D MacGibbon and T Ross 1889
This cross-shaft, set in a pedestal 1.1m x 1.0m, measures 0.95m x 0.5m x 0.2m. Its top is broken and the sculpturing is now almost obliterated.
Visited by OS (JHO) 16 March 1951
Excavation (July 1995)
NS 4615 6170 Desk and field assessments were conducted on the site of Amochrie Primary School by GUARD, ahead of housing development. The site was investigated as the presumed original location of the Stanelie (sic) Cross, an early medieval monument of which only a fragment remains, currently housed within the confines of the nearby Stanely Reservoir, under the care of Strathclyde Water Services.
Excavation within the proposed development area revealed the partly disturbed location of the cross base, formed within a natural outcrop of limestone. No other archaeological features were discovered relating to the cross site or any other period ie the nearby Stanley Castle.
The socket stone for the cross was located within the reservoir compound (NS 4628 6161), to where it had been moved sometime after the reservoir construction in 1838.
Sponsor: Bellway Homes Ltd.
K Speller 1995
