Numerous carved tombstones have been found in Govan Old Churchyard include five hogbacked, carved tombstones,which reflect Viking influence, and an elaborately carved stone coffin known as The Govan Sarcophagus.
The stones can be seen inside the Victorian Gothic Revival
church (1883-8 by Robert Rowand Anderson).
Over the last 150 years 47 carved stones have been recorded at
Govan, of which 31 survive today, all now protected within the
church. They date from the 9th to 11th century. They were
found within the churchyard which was once surrounded by a bank and
ditch. The evidence of excavations indicates that this was an
early Christian site going back to the 5th or 6th century AD. There
have been several previous churches here but only traces of
the foundations seem to remain from the medieval church which was
demolished in 1762. However, beneath these foundations
archaeologists found signs of still earlier burials.
Nearby, though it has now been levelled, was a mound known as
the Doomster Hill, probably used as a ceremonial gathering place.
It indicates the importance of Govan in the early medieval period.
It has been suggested that this could have been a royal graveyard
associated with the kingdom of Strathclyde the centre of which was
at Dumbarton.
The most ornate carving of a horseman, animals and interlace
patterns, is on the sandstone tomb known as The Govan Sarcophagus
and associated (though it cannot be proved) with the original
dedicatee of the church, St Constantine who may have been the
Scottish king Constantine, son of Kenneth, who ruled from 862-878.
It is the only sarcophagus carved from solid stone known from
pre-Norman north Britain. There are also individual carved crosses
and cross slabs. The most remarkable monuments are five hogback
gravestones, carved with roof tiles and with stylised animal end
pieces. These date from the mid to late 10th century and are the
largest group known anywhere in Britain. They are all
associated with areas of strong Viking influence, probably
through trade and perhaps settlement along the Clyde.
Visit the Govan Stones to see for yourself.
Also at Govan (Back
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