UHI Archaeology Institute student Michael Zambon has started a Masters by Research (MRes) investigating an Pictish symbol stone found in an Easter Ross graveyard in 2019.
From the writings of the classical authors, we know that the Picts were the predominant force in northern Scotland between AD300-800.
And if there is one thing that has come to typify the Picts it must surely be the numerous ornately carved symbol stones they left behind. These are generally found in the north-east of Scotland, with clusters found along the eastern coasts and into the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland.
No-one really knows, with any degree of certainty, why these enigmatic stones were erected or the significance of the symbols carved on them. But, as with all things Pictish, there are theories aplenty.
Pictish sculpture has been traditionally organised into three groups
- Symbol stones (Class 1) with abstract and naturalistic symbols.
- Cross slabs and free-standing crosses (Class 2) which have Christian iconography as well as Pictish symbols.
- Crosses without Pictish symbols (Class 3).
The Conan Stone falls in the second category. Discovered by NOSAS members during a graveyard survey of an old chapel site at Logie Wester, near Conon Bridge, Easter Ross, the stone is a cross-slab dating from the 8th century AD. It was re-used as a gravestone in the late 18th century.
Before it was found, no cross-slabs were known in the area. Although some of the carved motifs on it are unique, others are similar to sculpture from southern Pictland, making it a significant discovery with the potential to add to our knowledge of Pictish symbology and early medieval Christian practice.
Michael’s MRes, entitled A Stone in Place: Further Assessment of the Conan Pictish Stone, is funded by the UHI Archaeology Institute, the North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NOSAS) and the Scottish Society for Northern Studies (SSNS).
His research will focus on
- analysing and interpreting the Conan Stone’s symbology to provide a detailed record of the symbols, their closest comparators and how they compare to other relief sculpture, particularly in the Highland region.
- considering the location of the stone, its setting, sacral geography, and wider significance, with a view to better understanding the role and function of carved symbol stones within and outside burial grounds.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Michael has been an international educator for over 25 years and now lives in Orkney.
His interest in archaeology developed during his travels and visits to sites from different cultures and historical periods: “In the UK I was watching every documentary I could about the Neolithic in Orkney and programmes like Digging for Britain. I was fortunate to have met Nick Card at the Ness of Brodgar, and he gave me to the opportunity to volunteer on site for a couple of weeks in 2022.
“It was there that I met students from the UHI Archaeology Institute and decided to undertake their MLitt in Archaeological Studies, with a focus on the Neolithic.”
Michael completed his MLitt earlier this year and, interested in pursuing a PhD, felt that an MRes research degree was a perfect intermediary step.
“I’m keen to widen my perspective of British archaeology and was attracted to the Conan Stone project having visited Pictish sites across Scotland.
“The opportunity to study the material culture from a different period in history under the direction of scholars in the field of medieval studies will allow me to apply the knowledge and insights acquired from my MLitt dissertation on the chambered tombs of Scotland.”
He added: “I have always been fascinated by the intricacies and details of the sculptured stones of Pictish Scotland and interested in creating a document that is creative in the way it communicates information about the stone and that acknowledges the significant contribution and work of members of the North of Scotland Archaeology Society, who found and rescued the Conan Stone.
“A personal goal for the project is that findings from an analysis of the symbols and ornamental design of this Class II cross-slab may lead to wider conversations about stylistic developments for the insular art of medieval carved stones in Scotland.”
Michael’s MRes supervisors are Dr Jen Harland and Dr Sarah Jane Gibbon (both of the UHI Archaeology Institute) and Dr Martin Goldberg (senior curator of the Early Medieval and Viking collection at National Museums Scotland).
His research will lead to a journal paper, co-authored by his supervisors, and he will also present his findings as part of the SSNS seminar series.
We’d be delighted to hear from anyone considering a self-funded MRes or PhD. Our research themes and topics are outlined here and if any of those are of interest, contact Professor Jane Downes for more information.
