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There is a number of standing stones dotted around
north-east Scotland, the ancient legacy of some of the earliest
settlers in the region, principally the Picts.
Many of the stones, which are often in the most
isolated and inaccessible parts of the countryside, have symbols
cut into the surface. Some of these are indecipherable, their
meaning lost in the mists of time; others represent animals, fish,
the stars or the moon. Several tell the story of a battle or some
other great event.
Sometimes stones many miles apart, and further than
the normal travelling distance of the time, display images that
are remarkably similar, an indication that they might be the work
of itinerant artists or storytellers. Many of the later stones,
coming after the introduction of Christianity to northern Scotland,
have elaborately carved Celtic crosses or depict some biblical
theme.
Photo copyright The
Internet Guide to Scotland.
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