Archaeologists uncover rare Pictish face carving in Fife

Archaeologists in Scotland may have discovered an “incredibly rare” stone carving depicting the face of a person who lived more than 1,000 years ago. The find was made by University of Aberdeen student Jodie Allan during an excavation at East Lomond hillfort near Falkland, Fife.

The 12cm (5in) stone, which shows what appear to be two eyes, a nose, and a distinct hairline, could date back to the Pictish era. Professor Gordon Noble, who co-led the dig, said the object may represent a simple portrait of someone who once lived at the ancient settlement.

The Picts were a group who inhabited much of northern and eastern Scotland between the late Roman Iron Age and the early Middle Ages. They are remembered for constructing fortified hill settlements and for their intricately decorated standing stones. Their name derives from the Latin “Picti,” used by the Romans about 1,700 years ago.

Excavations at East Lomond have been ongoing since 2022, led by the University of Aberdeen in partnership with the Falkland Stewardship Trust. The site has revealed evidence of a significant settlement dating from the Roman Iron Age through the Pictish period.

Allan made the discovery while sieving soil from an early medieval building. At first, she was unsure of the stone’s significance, but its unusual copper-green colouring caught her attention. When she showed it to Prof Noble, his immediate reaction suggested its importance.

Experts believe the carving resembles human faces illustrated in early medieval manuscripts, though further analysis is needed. If confirmed, it would represent one of the few known examples of facial depictions from Pictish culture, adding a new dimension to our understanding of Scotland’s early medieval past.

Key Takeaways

Rare stone carving in Fife may depict a Pictish face over 1,000 years old.

Discovery made by Aberdeen student during East Lomond hillfort excavation.

Experts say human depictions from the Pictish era are extremely uncommon.

Adapted From:

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/24685/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx20nzdwxkpo