Abercrombie Church, Abercromby 3
Cross Slab (Early Medieval)
Site Name Abercrombie Church, Abercromby 3
Classification Cross Slab (Early Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Chapel
Canmore ID 319283
Site Number NO50SW 1.03
NGR NO 52189 03433
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/319283
- Council Fife
- Parish St Monance
- Former Region Fife
- Former District North East Fife
- Former County Fife
Abercrombie 3, Fife, cross-slab
Measurements: H 1.20m, W 0.30m, D 0.14m
Stone type: sandstone
Place of discovery: NO 52189 03433
Present location: at Abercrombie Church.
Evidence for discovery: recorded around 1850 by Stuart, re-used in the wall of the church. John Gifford attributes the creation of the north door using fragments of medieval gravestones to a reconstruction of 1597-1602, while the church was still in use as the parish church (1988, 86). This slab is set into the right-hand jamb of the doorway (as seen from outside the church).
Present condition: weathered,
Description
The visible face A is carved in relief with a cross on a semi-circular base, with a rectangular upper arm, square side-arms, square centre and squared armpits. The cross-head is ornamented with five small square hollows, one in each arm and at the top of the shaft and one in the centre.
Date: eighth or ninth century.
References: Stuart 1856, pl 124: ECMS pt 3, 349 (Abercromby); Gifford 1988.
Compiled by A Ritchie 2016
Reference (1903)
Abercromby No.3 is an upright (?) cross-slab of sandstone, of rectangular shape, 4 feet 3 inches high by 1 foot 5 inches wide, sculptured in relief on one face thus-
Front.- In the middle, and extending the full length of the slab, a cross, ornamented with four small recessed squares, one in the centre of the head, and one on each of the four arms.
J R Allen and J Anderson 1903
Photographic Survey (March 1993)
Photographs of the carved stones in Abercrombie churchyard, Fife by Tom E Gray in 1993.