Pictish Cross Slab from Newark, Deerness

This rare example of a Class II Pictish symbol stone was found at Newark, Deerness, in 2016. It is a Class II symbol stone, showing a cross carved in relief, with a central roundel and lattice decoration on the arms of the cross. There is also an ‘S dragon’ on the lower right-hand side. On the reverse it has another dragon-like beast, gripping a spear or its tail in its mouth, while above that can be seen a four-legged animal with hooves, either a boar, horse or cow. It was found by coastal erosion at an early cemetery site that was in use from 600-1400 CE. There may have been a Pictish chapel on the site, which was replaced by a 10th century one. The cross slab dates to the 8th century CE.