The general style of ornamentation of these stones, judging by a comparison with Anglo-Saxon illuminated MSS., has led to the conclusion that they were erected in the 8th or 9th c., a period when Christianity had but:lately supplanted paganism the Scottish Picts.
A stone differing in character from those described, now erected near the house of Newton in Aberdeenshire, in the same neighborhood in which it was found, has been a notable puzzle to archaeologists. It is not sculptured, but inscribed in a character which seems unique. Besides the principal inscription, there is another running along the edge, consisting of groups of short lines, and apparently in the Ogham (q.v.) character.
The crosses in Ireland are the likest to these Scottish monuments. They are chiefly found near churches and graveyards, and are generally cruciform, with a halo or circle binding and stem together. They usually taper to the top, on which a conical capstone is fixed, and they are inserted in pedestals of stone, which .are frequently covered with sculpture. Most of their subjects are from Scripture history, without any thing like the Scotch symbols.
The Welsh crosses are, for the most part, in the form of a small cross within a set on the top of a long shaft, the latter having at times interlaced ornaments in com partments. Many of them have inscriptions in the Romano-British character, relating
to the persons in memory of whom they were erected.
The sculptured crosses of Scandinavia and Man somewhat resemble the Scotch monuments in their general style of ornamentation, though altogether destitute of the peculiar Scottish symbols. On some of them are Runic inscriptions. One inscription on a Manx cross indicates that Gaut (probably a Norwegian) made this cross and all on Inn, Another is to the effect that erected this cross to his father Ufag, hut, G nit Bjornson made It. Professor Munch, from the character of the runes on these crosses. as-igns them for date the middle or end of the 11111 century. See RUNES.
A hundred and fifty of the sculptured stones of Scotland have been carefully engraved and described in a very valuable work contributed to the Spalding- club by Mr. John Stuart. Sonic of those belonging to the county of Angus had been previously illustrated by the late Mr. Chalmers of Auldbar, in a volume forming one of the Banna tyne club series.