The Dupplin Cross: an interdisciplinary examination of a Pictish sculptured stone monument

Wallace, Jennifer (2024) The Dupplin Cross: an interdisciplinary examination of a Pictish sculptured stone monument. MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The Dupplin Cross is an Early Medieval monument erected near Forteviot, Scotland. It is now generally dated to the first quarter of the 9th century; evidenced by an inscription that commemorates Custantín son of Uirguist (Constantine son of Fergus), king of the Pictish kingdom of Fortriu, who died in 820AD. This tight date range and the royal association makes this monument a prime candidate with potential to hold information on the nature of kingship and how this institution was presented. This study considers three main aspects of the cross.

Firstly, the sculptural qualities, including the form and carved elements, are analysed by producing a detailed description, followed by a thorough analysis and comparative study, incorporating a literature review. This study shows that both the form and the elements are very much connected with the wider assemblage of Pictish sculpture along with a few significant links to the sculpture of the other Insular regions. Two particular connections of note are the group of sculptures displaying similar horsemen, termed the ‘static riders’, and the group that includes a particular form of key-pattern.

Secondly, the stone itself was studied by means of a literature review, map-based analysis and fieldwork. This identified an outcropping of sandstone, close to the cross’s location, that is a possible source for the stone out of which the monument was manufactured.

Lastly, since the original location of the monument is known, the landscape it stood in is considered by means of field observation along-side mapand GIS-based analysis. This shows that the locational choice was quite deliberate in order to maximise the view both to and from the monument.

This study has furthered our knowledge of the Dupplin Cross. Its results contribute to the wider understanding of Pictish sculpture and the Early Medieval institution of Kingship in Pictland.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Subjects: C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
• Supervisor's Name: Forsyth, Professor Katherine and Brophy, Dr. Kenneth
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84385
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 05 Aug 2024 12:15
• Last Modified: 05 Aug 2024 12:16
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84385
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84385