Etched in Stone: Lindisfarne Namestones
Today, Lindisfarne is seen as a remote island that can only be reached at low tide, but 1400 years ago it was one of the busiest, best connected, and most densely populated places in England.
At its peak, Lindisfarne was a monastic powerhouse at the heart of the Kingdom of Northumbria. It produced some of the finest artworks of the early medieval world, with creative influences flowing in from Ireland, Scotland and Scandinavia.
Medieval sculpture, such as these namestones, can give us insight into the political views, creative influences, and religious beliefs of the time. The sculpture from this period reflects an era when politics and religion were intrinsically linked, and Lindisfarne’s influence was far-reaching.
Join Manda and Christina as they discuss a few of the early medieval namestones we’ve uncovered during our excavations at Lindisfarne.
