Caratacus Stone

Caratacus Stone
Caratacus Stone, showing the inscription CARAACI NEPVS
Location: Winsford Hill, Exmoor, Somerset, England
Coordinates:
OS grid reference: SS88973355
Built: Sub-Roman period (approximately sixth century)
Scheduled monument
Official name: Caratacus Stone
Reference #: 35777[1]
Location of Caratacus Stone in Somerset

The Caratacus Stone is an inscribed stone on Exmoor in Somerset, thought to date from the 6th century.[1] The inscription, written in Latin, reads CARAACI NEPVS ('kinsman of Caratacus'),[2] and is thought to have been built either as a memorial or as a boundary stone.[1]

An excavation in 1937 revealed that the stone was not erected over a burial site.[3] In 1906 a shelter was erected over the stone.[4][1] The first mention of the stone dates from 1206, when it is described as 'the Langeston'.[1] In 1890, the letter 'N' was missing from the inscription. By 1919, it had been cemented back in place.[5]

Some accounts hold that the inscription should actually read CARATACI NEPVS, with the letters 'A' and 'T' forming a ligature.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Caratacus Stone". Pastscape. English Heritage. http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=35777. Retrieved 3 June 2011. 
  2. ^ Most Amazing Places to Walk Britain. Readers Digest. p. 53. ISBN 978-0276444975. 
  3. ^ "Standing Stones and Circles on Exmoor". Everything Exmoor. http://exmoorencyclopedia.org.uk/contents-list/52-s/937-standing-stones-and-circles-on-exmoor.html. Retrieved 6 September 2011. 
  4. ^ "Caratacus Stone". Megalithic Portal. http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=7383. Retrieved 6 September 2011. 
  5. ^ a b Bruton, F. A. (1919). "The Caratacus Stone on Exmoor". The Journal of Roman Studies 9: 208–210. doi:10.2307/296006.  edit

External links

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