The Picts were master craftspeople. They created many
intricately carved symbol stones. People at the time would have
understood the symbols and figures carved on the stones. Their
meanings have been lost over the centuries. Today there is much
debate about the meaning of some Pictish symbols. Early symbol
stones were rough, undressed boulders; later stones were
carefully shaped and dressed. The earliest stones show incised
animals and geometric shapes unique to Pictish culture like the
crescent and v-rod, the double disc and the serpent and z-rod.
Later stones were sculpted in relief, allowing the elaborate
designs to stand out from the background. Designs include
incised Christian crosses and biblical scenes. Some Pictish
stones have written inscriptions. Pictish letters - called
'ogam' - had no curves, so were well suited for carving on
stone. The language the Picts spoke has been lost. More than 250
symbol stones have survived. They are monuments to the skills of
Pictish artists and sculptors, but their m