Cross find may be medieval graffiti0 Comments | Herald, The; Glasgow (UK), Jul 29, 2010
A MEDIEVAL cross discovered chiselled into a farm wall in Fife could be 13th century holy graffiti, experts have claimed.
The cross is thought to have been left by a pilgrim on his way to Dunfermline Abbey, around half a mile from where it was found.
Experts are unsure exactly why the cross was made on the stone, which was later used to build the wall, but they believe it may have been put there to mark a pilgrim's journey to visit the tomb of Saint Margaret, who was buried at the abbey in 1093.
She was canonised in the year 1250 by Pope Innocent IV in recognition of her personal holiness, fidelity to the Church, work for religious reform and charity. Because of St Margaret, Dunfermline became a place of pilgrimage.
The field is on the line of what was until 250 years ago the main road between Dunfermline and Glasgow.
Dunfermline tourist guide Roger Pickering spotted the cross when he was preparing a special walk about the pilgrimages to the historic religious centre.
He said: "I was walking along the route which was once the road from Dunfermline to Glasgow. It was in the evening, the light was just right and it shone on the stone, lighting the cross.
"We have been in touch with Fife Council's archaeologist, Douglas Speirs, who thinks that possibly a medieval stone has been re-used in what looks like a late 18th century wall.
"The cross was carved between the 13th and 16th centuries. This one might have been done by a pilgrim on his way to Dunfermline, wanting to leave a mark of his trip, making it holy graffiti."
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