When starting to compile a single list of all Class 1 and Class 2 Symbol Stones a pattern of locations emerged – visible inside churches, under foundations, in a field, by graves (new and old) etc. Common threads were the proximity of many Stones to water (typically rivers and burns) or being in a raised or open area – in some instances these could be considered as additional features, in others their only feature. Although there is a wide range of aspects for their physical locations, what all these Stones have in common is that Pictish Symbols have been carved on them.
A single list for Symbol Stones, irrespective of Class, was compiled based on grouping them by these “Aspects of Physical Locations”.
A commentary on Symbol Stone locations is at Physical Locations of Pictish Symbol Stones with the single list of all Class 1 and Class 2 Symbol Stones in the Physical Locations of Pictish Symbol Stones PDF.
Before exploring whether Class 2 Stones might have served a fundamental purpose in the transition of beliefs from Pictish-Mithraic to Christian it was apparent that a list just for Class 2 Stones was needed.
Having compiled a stand-alone list of Class 2 Stones a comparison was made by “aspects of physical locations” with that list and the original single list of both Class 1 and Class 2 Stones. The result was finding “differences” and “similarities” of physical locations of Class 1 and Class 2 based on these “aspects”.
Details of the analyses and resultant interpretations are in the Differences & Similarities PDF.
An overall conclusion was that having looked for aspects pertinent only to the location of Class 2 Stones much was realised about Class 1 and Class 2 Stones located together with some unanticipated outcomes such as the almost equal number of Class 1 and Class 2 Stones at “ecclesiastical” places (especially churches). There is still much scope to further analyse the material at this annexe – Ecclesiastical Settings.
Another consideration is whether the locations of Class 1 Stones might have had an influence on the siting of Class 2 Stones or could any closeness just be coincidence. This topic also has relevance to Shared Space Belief Combinations and is explored at the webpage Proximity of Class 2 to Class 1 Stones.