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Roman numerals were found on the Stone of Destiny after a 3D-printed replica of the sacred royal relic was examined by experts.
The stone has held immense significance at coronations for centuries and is steeped in controversy – which is why the exact timings of the carefully planned military operation to move it are kept secret.
Created as part of preparations for the king’s coronation next month, the 3D print made it possible to view the ancient object from different perspectives in greater detail than before.
Researchers from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) care for the stone on behalf of the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia.
Ewan Hyslop, head of research and climate change at HES, said the machining marks on the stone revealed it was roughly worked by “more than one” stonemason using different tools.
Roman numerals were found on the Stone of Destiny after a 3D-printed replica of the sacred royal relic was examined by experts (in the photo, the Stone is scanned to create the 3D version for inspection)
The Stone has held immense significance at coronations for centuries and is steeped in controversy – which is why the exact timings of the carefully planned military operation to move it are kept secret
Created as part of preparations for the king’s coronation next month, the 3D print made it possible to see the ancient object from different perspectives, in greater detail than before
The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is normally displayed in Edinburgh Castle and plays an important role in Scotland’s history. Its origins are lost in time, but it is rumored to have biblical connections and may have played a role in the enthronement of Scottish kings for over a century before it was first recorded in 1057, when Macbeth’s stepson Lulach was proclaimed king at Scone in Scotland.
He said: ‘The high level of detail we were able to capture through the digital imaging enabled us to re-examine the machining marks on the surface of the stone, which helped confirm that the stone was roughly worked by more than one stonemason. with a number of different tools, as previously thought.
“The discovery of previously unrecorded markers is also important, and while we can’t say for sure at this point what their purpose or significance might be, they provide the exciting opportunity for further areas of study.”
The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is normally displayed in Edinburgh Castle and plays an important role in Scotland’s history.
Its origins are lost in time, but it is rumored to have biblical connections and may have played a role in the enthronement of Scottish kings for over a century before it was first recorded in 1057, when Macbeth’s stepson Lulach was proclaimed king at Scone in Scotland. .
The stone is believed to have been used in ceremonies to crown Scottish monarchs from that date until it was confiscated by King Edward I in 1296 and taken to England.
It was placed in a specially constructed coronation chair that has remained in Westminster Abbey ever since and will be used for Charles’ accession to the throne.
The stone made headlines on Christmas Day 1950 when four Scottish students removed it from the abbey and three months later it was found at the main altar of Arbroath Abbey. It was officially returned to Scotland in 1996.
X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to examine the composition of the stone and discovered traces of a copper alloy on the surface, which coincided with a dark spot near the center, suggesting that the stone had once been in contact with a bronze or copper object.
Microscopic traces of gypsum plaster, possibly traces of gypsum, were also found.
The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is normally displayed in Edinburgh Castle and plays an important role in Scotland’s history (the 3D model is pictured)
The stone made headlines on Christmas Day 1950 when four Scottish students removed it from the abbey
A 1998 study by the British Geological Survey concluded that the artifact was indistinguishable from ‘Scone Sandstone Formation’ sandstone from the area around Scone Palace near Perth.
The coronation chair underwent restoration work before Charles’s coronation, and conservators have found previously unrecorded decorations on the object.
Created around 1300 for Edward I to house the stone, it was made of oak, decorated with colored glass, gilded with gold leaf and painted by Master Walter, the king’s master painter.
Monarchs may have sat on the stone itself, with a cushion for comfort, but at some point a seat was made in the chair and the 3D model of the stone is used to try on the original.