Monument record MHG1410 - Burial - near Old St. Peter's Church, Thurso
Summary
No summary available.
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 1206 6860 (10m by 10m) (Buffered by site type) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND16NW |
| Old County | CAITHNESS |
| Civil Parish | THURSO |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Map
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
See also:
ND16NW0010 Church
ND16NW0299 Font
ND16NW0301 Runic inscribed cross
JHooper, 15/11/2001
ND16NW 17 1206 6861.
Two graves lying E-W and formed of rough stones set on edge were found in April 1896 across street from E end of St Peter's Church (ND16NW 10), while digging foundations of a herring kippering kiln. The smaller grave, about half size of other, contained bones of a small body. The large grave measured about 3ft 6ins in length and contained a crouched skeleton. On top of the grave was a runic inscribed cross of Caithness flag-stone, 2ft 9ins long.
The inscription, which has been translated, may be 11th century. As site of these graves is only 12 yds E of E end of St Peter's Church, this postulates a greater eastward extent of burial ground and adds to probability of apsidal structure being of 12th century date. The Norse line ended in 1231.
J Anderson 1897; J R Allen and J Anderson 1903; RCAHMS 1911; A O Curle, M Olsen and H Shetelig 1954.
The grave find was sited to ND12066861 from info above. Works premises now occupy the site. The runic cross is in Thurso Museum and is dated there to about 1000 AD.
Visited by OS (E G C) 18 April 1962.
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- SHG1300 Text/Publication/Article: Anderson, J. 1897. 'Notices on some recently discovered inscribed and sculptured stones', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 31 1896-7, p.293-308. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 293-308. 293-6; illust.
- --- SHG1883 Text/Publication/Volume: Allen and Anderson, J R and J. 1903. The early Christian monuments of Scotland: a classified illustrated descriptive list of the monuments with an analysis of their symbolism and ornamentation. pt. 3, 36; illust.
- --- SHG2664 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Third report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Caithness. . 123-4, No. 446.
- --- SHG3189 Text/Publication/Article: Curle, Olsen and Shetelig, A O, M and H. 1954. Civilisation of the Viking settlers in relation to their old and new countries. 179.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
May 16 2017 11:33AM
