Cat Stane
 | |
  The Cat Stane in Scotland | |
| Location | Edinburgh |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°57′17.28″N3°21′52.2″W/ 55.9548000°N 3.364500°W |
| Type | Megalith |
| History | |
| Periods | Bronze Age, Iron Age |
| Cultures | Votadini, Gododdin, Picts |
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | Edward Lhuyd |
| Ownership | Edinburgh Airport |
TheCat Stane,orCatstane,is an inscribed standing stone nearKirkliston,on the outskirts ofEdinburgh,inScotland.It bears a fragmentary inscription dating to the fifth or sixth centuries and was part of a funerary complex consisting of the stone itself, acairnand a series ofcistburials.[1]
The stone'sLatininscription is interpreted as a dedication to a deceased woman whose remains were interred near the stone. Dates have been ascribed to the stone and its inscription by considering the script used and the results of several excavations conducted in modern times.
The stone appears to have been erected in theBronze Agewhile the inscription was added in the fifth or sixth centuries AD. During the latter period the area around modern Edinburgh was controlled by the nation known as either theVotadinior theGododdin.
The Cat Stane now lies within the perimeter ofEdinburgh Airport,making it impossible for the general public to access it. Nearby is the confluence of the Gogar Burn and theRiver Almond.The stone is aScheduled Ancient Monument.[2]
Description
[edit]The Cat Stane is an irregularstanding stoneof 1.3m height. It is heavily weathered but preserves an inscription in Latin, with severallacunas.
The inscription, carved in a rough Latin script appears to read:[1]
- IN OC T
- MVLO IAC T
- VETTA F
- VICTR
This is interpreted by theRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland(RCAHMS) as representing:
- IN THIS
- TOMB LIES
- VETTA DAUGHTER OF
- VICTRICUS
-
TheCat Staneillustrated in 1860 for theSociety of Antiquaries of Scotland. -
Inscription on the stone
History
[edit]The earliest description of the Cat Stane was made by the Welsh scholarEdward Lhuydin 1699 who described it as standing on a pavement of flat stones surrounding the remains of a low oval cairn.[1]
The first excavation of the stone's vicinity was conducted in 1860. Further excavation took place in 1864 and, most recently, 1977 when it was unsuccessfully proposed that the stone be removed from the grounds of Edinburgh airport.
These excavations showed that the Cat Stane was surrounded by a series of burials in stone-lined graves known ascists.
RCAHMS interprets the Cat Stane as aBronze Agesite re-used for burials in the fifth or sixth centuries.[1]