National Museum of Scotland - Ancient Scottish History Photos

The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh has a large collection of objects and art from Stone Age, Roman, Viking, Pictish, and early Christian cultures.

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Megalithic stone tools found in Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Stone & bronze axeheads from Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Carved stone objects from Quoyness & Skara Brae at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Sacred stone carved with cups & circles found west of Edinburgh at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Megalithic stone tools (4000-1800 BCE) found in Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Stone & bronze axeheads (3800-800 BCE) from Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Carved stone objects (3100-2500 BCE) from Quoyness & Skara Brae at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Sacred stone carved with cups & circles (2300-1800 BCE) found west of Edinburgh at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Whitby jet necklace imported into Scotland & found at Balcalk at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Bronze pony cap found in bog near Torrs at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Stone slab carved with Roman soldiers as seen by native Scots at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Roman altar to Jupiter found near Croy Hill at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Whitby jet necklace (2300-1800 BCE) imported into Scotland & found at Balcalk at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Bronze pony cap (300-100 BCE) found in bog near Torrs at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Stone slab carved with Roman soldiers (c150 CE) as seen by native Scots at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Roman altar to Jupiter (c100-200 CE) found near Croy Hill at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Reconstruction of northern Scottish Carnyx war trumpet whose sound in battle lead Romans to call their enemies Carnyx beside original head from Deskford at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Original bronze Carnyx head from Deskford at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Reconstructed bronze Carnyx head modeled after original from Deskford at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Roman era horse tack found around Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Reconstruction of northern Scottish Carnyx war trumpet whose sound in battle lead Romans to call their enemies Carnyx beside original head (100-200) from Deskford at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Original bronze Carnyx head (100-200) from Deskford at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Reconstructed bronze Carnyx head modeled after original (100-200) from Deskford at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Roman era horse tack (100-200) found around Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Roman cavalry bronze face mask from Newstead at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Neptune, god of oceans ceramic bowl from Inveresk at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Roman ceramic bowl with organization of production theme from Newstead at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Roman stone altar to Mars & Emperor's Victory from Birrens at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Roman cavalry bronze face mask (50-100) from Newstead at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Neptune, god of oceans ceramic bowl from Inveresk at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Roman ceramic bowl with organization of production theme (100-200) from Newstead at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Roman stone altar to Mars & Emperor's Victory from Birrens at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Roman bronze serving bowls & wine strainers from Helmsdale Hoard at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Traprain treasure hoard given as bulk silver by Romans as bribe to keep Scots chief from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver flagons & plate of Traprain treasure hoard Roman bribe to keep Scots from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver bowls of Traprain treasure hoard Roman bribe to keep Scots from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Roman bronze serving bowls & wine strainers from Helmsdale Hoard (200-400) at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Traprain treasure hoard (early 5thC) given as bulk silver by Romans as bribe to keep Scots chief from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver flagons & plate of Traprain treasure hoard (early 5thC) Roman bribe to keep Scots from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver bowls of Traprain treasure hoard (early 5thC) Roman bribe to keep Scots from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Silver spoons of Traprain treasure hoard Roman bribe to keep Scots from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver panther & leopard handles of Traprain treasure hoard Roman bribe to keep Scots from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Falkirk silver coin hoard at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Monymusk Reliquary from Aberdeenshire said to have held remains of St Columba at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Silver spoons (early 5thC) of Traprain treasure hoard Roman bribe to keep Scots from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver panther & leopard handles (early 5thC) of Traprain treasure hoard Roman bribe to keep Scots from attacking England at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Falkirk silver coin hoard at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Monymusk Reliquary (c750) from Aberdeenshire said to have held remains of St Columba at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Silver decorations from St Ninian's Isle Treasure found in Shetland church prob. hidden from Vikings at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver brooches from St Ninian's Isle Treasure found in Shetland church prob. hidden from Vikings at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver brooches from St Ninian's Isle Treasure found in Shetland church prob. hidden from Vikings at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver brooches & Christian symbols found in Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Silver decorations from St Ninian's Isle Treasure (c800-50) found in Shetland church prob. hidden from Vikings at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver brooches from St Ninian's Isle Treasure (c800-50) found in Shetland church prob. hidden from Vikings at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver brooches from St Ninian's Isle Treasure (c800-50) found in Shetland church prob. hidden from Vikings at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver brooches & Christian symbols found in Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Silver brooch found in Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Metal objects found in Viking settlements in Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver ring money bracelets used by Vikings in Orkney Islands at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Viking silver hoard found in stone-lined pit on island of Skaill, Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Silver brooch found in Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Metal objects (several made in Ireland) found in Viking settlements (c800-1000) in Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Silver ring money bracelets (c950) used by Vikings in Orkney Islands at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Viking silver hoard (c950-1000) found in stone-lined pit on island of Skaill, Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Viking silver broaches & bracelets found on island of Skaill, Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Broach made by jeweler with higher than normal skill probably for Scottish royalty using designs from around Britain at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Deer hunt stone relief carving from Scoonie, Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Sandstone cross-slab carving from Invergowrie, Angus at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Viking silver broaches & bracelets (c950-1000) found on island of Skaill, Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Broach made by jeweler with higher than normal skill probably for Scottish royalty using designs from around Britain at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Deer hunt stone relief carving (c700-850) from Scoonie, Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Sandstone cross-slab carving (9thC) from Invergowrie, Angus at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Cross on reverse side of sandstone cross-slab carving from Invergowrie, Angus at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish carved stones at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone carved with bird & fish at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone carved with crucifixion scene from Abernethy at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Cross on reverse side of sandstone cross-slab carving (9thC) from Invergowrie, Angus at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish carved stones (c600-1000) at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone carved with bird & fish (c600) at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone carved with crucifixion scene (c1000) from Abernethy at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Pictish stone carved with Daniel in lions' den from Rosemarkie at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone cross shaft carved with Christ, saints & David playing harp from Monifieth at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish big stone cross carved with intertwined animals from Woodwray at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone carved with horsemen & typical double disk symbol at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Pictish stone carved with Daniel in lions' den (c700-900) from Rosemarkie at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone cross shaft carved with Christ, saints & David playing harp from Monifieth at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish big stone cross carved with intertwined animals (c800-900) from Woodwray at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone carved with horsemen & typical double disk symbol at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Pictish stone carved with intertwined animals above winged angel from Aberlady at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Galloway & Whithorn style crosses from Southwest of Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Scottish stone carving of Christian in prayer from Over Kirkhope at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Gallery of Pictish stones at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Pictish stone carved with intertwined animals above winged angel (c700-800) from Aberlady at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Galloway & Whithorn style crosses (700-1100) from Southwest of Scotland at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Scottish stone carving of Christian in prayer from Over Kirkhope at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Gallery of Pictish stones (500-900) at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Carved Pictish symbolic animals & men with animal heads from Murthly at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone cross & monks with pre-Christian symbolic animal & bird-headed men pecking a human head from Papil island at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Symbolic Pictish animal with coiled design elements on Papil cross at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Symbolic Pictish bird-headed men pecking a human head on Papil cross at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Carved Pictish symbolic animals & men with animal heads (800-1000) from Murthly at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone cross & monks with pre-Christian symbolic animal & bird-headed men pecking a human head (700-900) from Papil island at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Symbolic Pictish animal with coiled design elements (700-900) on Papil cross at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Symbolic Pictish bird-headed men pecking a human head (700-900) on Papil cross at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Pictish stone slab with boar inscribed with spirals from Dores at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone slab inscribed with goose & fish from Easterton of Roseisle at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone slab inscribed with mirror case & crescent from South Ronaldsay of Roseisle at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Carved stone with double-discs & crescent Pictish symbols from Fiscavaig at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Pictish stone slab with boar inscribed with spirals from Dores at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone slab inscribed with goose & fish from Easterton of Roseisle at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone slab inscribed with mirror case & crescent from South Ronaldsay of Roseisle at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Carved stone with double-discs & crescent Pictish symbols from Fiscavaig at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Carved stone with double-discs & comb Pictish symbols at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone inscribed with aristocratic woman leading a hunting party plus symbolic crescent, double disks, spirals & entwined animals from Hilton of Cadboll at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Carved Pictish stone with drunk warrior on horse from Bullion at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Modern copy of Pictish carving prob. Battle of Nechtansmere in 685 AD wherein Picts expelled Angle-Saxons with original found in Aberlemno at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Carved stone with double-discs & comb Pictish symbols at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Pictish stone inscribed with aristocratic woman leading a hunting party plus symbolic crescent, double disks, spirals & entwined animals (800-900) from Hilton of Cadboll at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Carved Pictish stone with drunk warrior on horse from Bullion at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Modern copy of Pictish carving prob. Battle of Nechtansmere in 685 AD wherein Picts expelled Angle-Saxons with original found in Aberlemno at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Bronze offering cauldron with Pictish design from Kincardine Moss at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Stone amulets or gaming pieces with Pictish symbols mostly from Burrian at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Plaque with Pictish symbols from Norrie's Law at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
Bronze offering cauldron with Pictish design from Kincardine Moss at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Stone amulets or gaming pieces with Pictish symbols (400-800) mostly from Burrian at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.Plaque with Pictish symbols (600-700) from Norrie's Law at National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland.
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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
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