Contents

Welcome to www.pictishsymbolstones.com which has four main themes:

• Pictish-Mithraism™ – which the author proposes was a belief system developed from Roman Mithraism
• Carvings decoded in the context of beliefs – in particular Symbols representing a form of Mithraism
• Surfaces of Stones used as a “shared space” with carvings reflecting different beliefs
• Transition from Mithraism to Christianity including a prospective timeframe

Across these interconnected themes connections are made with the Roman military in Scotland, where and when Pictish-Mithraism may have started, Roman indoor temples of Mithras and the concept of an Open-Air Mithraeum, “personal attributes” ascribed to Celtic animals, birds and fish plus information on the original locations of Stones and the range of objects carved on them.

The research approach started with looking elsewhere for designs similar to those on Pictish Symbol Stones – to find none. Some structure was then given to sorting and recording the researched material then analysing the data by object and category resulting in two key outputs – Mithraic Symbols being identified and decoded plus Non-Mithraic Objects being identified and recorded.

Additionally there is a section on those Artistic Techniques used in structuring and positioning Symbols on Stones.

Pictish Symbol Stones

• Pict, Pictland and Pictish
• Locations of Pictish Symbol Stones – an over-view
• Pictish Symbol Stones – Objects by Location

Carvings and Beliefs

• Beliefs – what are they?
• Mithraism and Pictish Symbols
  • Mitra, Mithra, Mithras – who were they?
  • Temples of Mithras 
  • Discovery of the Connection – Mithras Belief / Pictish Symbols
  • Pictish-Mithraism – the name
• Christian Crosses and Biblical Stories
  • Saints and Stones
• Celtic Animals, Birds and Fish
• Stones with Ogham Texts

Pictish Symbols Decoded – & more

• Carvings on the Stones – Research Approach
  • Looking for Designs 
  • Categorising the Carvings – some structure
  • Symbol Stone Objects – Numerical Analyses
• Mithraic Symbols – Identified and Decoded
  • Mithraic Symbols – Drawn Designs
    • Persian Ring
  • The “Open-Air” Mithraeum
• Non-Mithraic Objects – Identified & Recorded

The Origin of Pictish-Mithraism?

• Builders & Worshippers – a Roman connection?
• Locations of Roman Army Establishments in Pictland
• Symbol Stones near Roman Army Establishments
• Stones, Eagles and The Roman Army – a Connection?
• Stones, Boars and a Roman Legion – a Connection?
• What the “stayers” created – Symbols and a Legacy

Shared Space for different beliefs

• Investigations into “Shared Space” Belief Combinations

  • 1   –   Mithraic + Celtic
  • 2   –   Mithraic + Christian
  • 3   –   Celtic + Christian
  • 4   –   Mithraic + Celtic + Christian
  • 5   –   Single Belief
• Observations and Discussion
  • Pictish Symbol Stones – Case Studies
• Was a Shared Space Successfully Enabled?
  • Changes in Beliefs – Bigger Picture
  • Places for Worship
• “Shared Space” booklet

Artistic Techniques

• Design and Construction of Individual Objects
• Relative Positioning
• Associated Meanings
• Hypothetical Stone
• Highlights of Artistic Techniques

Pictish “Transition” Stones

• Physical Locations of Pictish Symbol Stones
  • Class 2 Stones – Physical Locations
  • Locations of Class 1 and 2 Stones – Differences & Similarities
  • Class 2 Symbol Stones – Map
• Class 2 Stones – a Detailed Exploration
  • “Strength” of relationship of beliefs between carved objects 
• Features of Class 2 Stone Locations
  • Stones by, in or near water
  • Stones in raised or open area
  • Stones at or near a church
  • Association with a Saint’s name
• “Transition” Dating Prospects – Saints & Class 2 Stones
• Evaluations and Comments
  • Synopsis and Evaluation by Stone
  • Bigger Picture
  • Some Comments
  • Achieving Change – some thoughts
• “Transition” Stones – Conclusions
• Pictish “Transition” Stones booklet

Dating “Transition”

• Part 1 – Initial Focus on Angus and Perth & Kinross
• Part 2 – Saints of Scotland – Creating a Consolidated List
• Part 3 – Saints of Scotland – Assessing their Influence in Dating “Transition”
• Part 4 – Monastic Houses in Scotland – Assessing their Influence in Dating “Transition”
• Part 5 – Outcome – A Prospective Timeframe for Belief “Transition”

Author, Bibliography and Copyright

• Booklets, Pamphlets & Articles

Contact the Author

Header shows part of Rossie Priory, Perthshire Class 2 Stone.