Cat Stane, Standing stone in Edinburgh, Scotland
Cat Stane is a standing stone in Edinburgh measuring about 1.3 meters (4 feet) tall with Latin inscriptions carved into its weathered whinstone surface. The stone originally stood at a cemetery location and was positioned above constructed grave walls.
The stone marked a cemetery site from the first millennium, with inscriptions dating to the fifth or sixth century. This period was a time of cultural transition in Scotland as Roman and local traditions mixed together.
The Latin inscription honors a woman named Vetta, daughter of Victricus, showing this location served as a memorial site for the deceased. The name and language reflect Roman influence in the region during ancient times.
The stone is located on Edinburgh Airport grounds and is not freely accessible to ordinary visitors. Contact with local heritage authorities is necessary if you wish to visit the site or examine the inscriptions more closely.
Excavations in the 1860s revealed constructed grave walls beneath the stone, yet no skeletal remains were found directly associated with it. This suggests the stone may have served as a monument marking a cemetery site rather than functioning as an actual burial place.
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