Pictish stone relic revealed on banks of River Don after water levels drop
A fisherman has discovered a “stunning” Pictish symbol stone on a riverbank.
The stone was found on the banks of the River Don in Dyce, Aberdeen, after the spell of warm weather lowered water levels and exposed the ancient relic.
The fisherman alerted Aberdeen University to the find with archaeologists then confirming he had made a “very significant” discovery.
The Class I Pictish symbol stone features carved symbols including a triple disc with cross bar, a mirror, and a notched rectangle with two internal spirals.
It will further enhance understanding of the lost kingdoms of the Picts found in the east of Scotland between the 6th and 8th Centuries AD.
The stone was removed by a team from Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Aberdeenshire Council and The University of Aberdeen.
Bruce Mann, local authority Archaeologist for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, said: “The exceptional summer has led to river levels being at their lowest for decades, so there was always a chance that something new would be found. However, I certainly didn’t expect a find as stunning as this.
“Pictish symbol-stones are incredibly rare, and this one, with its apparent connection to the river, adds further to the discussions around their meaning and what they were used for.”
Pictish symbol stones are among Scotland’s most distinctive monuments.
Their elegant and vivid symbols and images can be found carved into boulders and slabs of rock, and on specially cut and shaped free-standing stones.
Class I Pictish stones date to between 6th to 8th centuries AD, and are typically unworked stones with carved symbols.
The meaning of the symbols on the stones is debated, but it is believed they may represent the names of individuals or groups.