St Andrews Sarcophagus, St Andrews Cathedral

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The exact function and layout of this object in St Andrews Cathedral remains a topic of heated debate among academics today. Many scholars strongly believe it is a part of a Pictish sarcophagus or shrine, while others firmly think it may have originated from a series of screens. This artifact dates back to the 700s to early 800s and consists of six individual sandstone pieces that neatly fit together. The first fragments were unearthed in 1833 during grave digging operations. Additional fragments were discovered over the years, and by 1922 all known surviving pieces had been meticulously collated. It is widely believed that most, if not all, the pieces were found within the burial ground situated between St Rule's Tower and the Cathedral itself. Despite its Pictish origins, this object surprisingly lacks any of the characteristic symbols typically found on other Pictish monuments. However, it does feature other decorative styles commonly found in Pictish sculpture, including hunting scenes, fictional animals, and biblical narratives on the main panel.