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Monuments: P

1. Papil (Burra)

Image
RecordAuthor Máirín Mac Carron
ISODate 2002-05-31
Date 31 May 2002
PictureCredit Jane Hawkes
County Shetland
Townland Burra
OSMapRef
Area Scotland
GeneralContext Rectangular slab.
Location The isles of East and West Burra lie side by side on the west of the southern part of the mainland of Shetland.
GeneralContext Stone type: Red sandstone
Dimensions 6'10'' high, 1'7.5'' wide at the top to 1'5.5'' wide at the bottom, and thickness varies from 1.5'' to 2.5''.
GeneralDescription Upright rectangular slab. At the top of the shaft is a cross with four equal arms enclosed within a circle. Below this, on either side of the shaft, there are two ecclesiastics, both pairs facing the centre. All four have pointed hoods and croziers; one on each side carries a book satchel. Below this there is a rectangular panel enclosing a beast with its tail curled over its back. On the bottom of the slab there are two creatures with human bodies, arms, and heads, but with the legs and beaks of birds. They are both holding axes over their shoulders and pecking a human head in the middle.

  1. Allen, J. R., Anderson, J., The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland1st, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Edinburgh (1903) Descriptions, Stone, Sculpture, Monuments, Scotland.