About this objectMonuments such as these are thought to have been carved and erected in the landscape in Britain from the late 7th century, possibly inspired by examples on the European continent. This sandstone monument (possibly the cross section is not original) at Ruthwell in Scotland, has carvings depicting scenes from the Gospels, including Christ, the Four Evangelists and Mary and Martha, with Latin inscriptions. It also contains Old English poetry in runic script, possibly carved later. It was broken into pieces in the 17th century and restored, as far as possible, in the 19th century.
