444 



EARLY MAN IN BRITAIN. 



[CHAP. xn. 



Z, or the broken sceptre symbol, and a strange animal 

 composed of volutes, so frequently repeated on the 

 ancient sculptured stones and crosses of Scotland (Figs. 

 162, 163). In a silver pin it is also to be seen below 

 a Greek cross, while on the other side of the head are 

 mystic symbols of unknown meaning. 



These elegant and graceful designs are combined with 

 the interlaced cable or rope pattern (Fig. 167), of Ger- 

 manic origin, which was un- 

 known in Britain before the 

 English Conquest. The original 1 

 of this figure is part of the 

 ornamentation of a tombstone 

 in Fordoun Church, Kincar- 

 dineshire, where St. Palladius 

 (A.D. 450) is said to have been 

 buried. It is accompanied by 



FIG. i67.-Knotted.rope Pat- the double-mirror and Z (Fig. 



tern, Fordoun cimrch, Kin- 162), the snake, the spiral pat- 



cardineshire. 



of three men on horseback, one bearing a spear. This 

 combination may be taken as an outward sign of the 

 fusion of the two peoples in Scotland and Ireland. The 

 graceful fancy of the Celt was joined to the heavy and 

 massive design of the German, and is to be seen equally 

 in the results of the patient labour of the scribe in his 

 cell, and of the sculptor and metal-worker, who have 

 left more palpable, though probably not more enduring, 

 proofs of their wonderful art. The two designs are at 

 the present time used in the jewelry of both Ireland and 

 Scotland. 



The same combination is visible in the enamel work. 



1 Stuart, Sculptured Stones of Scotland, i. pi. 67. 



