Newly discovered sculptured stones from Papil, Shetland

Abstract

Three stones were discovered during grave digging in the churchyard of Papil. The stones comprise a cross-slab, an interlaced cross and a socketed cross-stone. These are described and illustrated and a list of all known sculptured stones from Shetland is provided. One of the stones which has a long-shafted Latin cross, with flared arms and almost square base, is unique in Scotland although parallels can be found in Ireland. The other two stones also have much in common with Irish examples. it is argued that a community of Irish monks had established itself in Shetland at least a thousand years ago, and that this community could have few links with the mainland of Scotland.