Cross-decorated stone in Soroby graveyard
Photograph of a cross-decorated stone in Soroby graveyard.
Dating from the Early Christian period, i.e. from the 5th to 12th century, this gravestone in Soroby cemetery at Balinoe bears crosses in bold relief on both sides. The edges of the stone and crosses are decorated with heavy cable-moulding.
The front of the stone (not shown) faces east and is carved with a Latin cross, in the centre of which is a massive round boss. There are two crudely shaped serpents in the upper arm. The back is decorated with a ring-headed cross.
The stone stands 1.25 metres high and measures 0.8 metres at its widest and 0.25 metres in depth, excluding the boss on the front. The socket-stone in which it stands is below ground
Colour photograph of a cross-decorated stone in Soroby graveyard.
Cross-decorated stone in Soroby graveyard, photographed by Dr John Holliday in 2006.