Early Christian Monuments at the Museum

Probably a post I will get few comments on, but I needed to write this to get the various stones sorted out for addition to a Facebook group I belong to. (It has taken me AGES to do, but I was also painting the bedroom in between doing the different stones in this post.) I am fascinated by these early Christian monuments, but I understand they are a bit of a niche interest!  There will be more interesting photos to finish up the Museum roundup in the next post.

Below: cross-carved stone first recorded in 1876 when it was found forming part of a style into the churchyard at Abergwili.  (The Museum is at Abergwili and the church nearby).  It ended up in a coalshed before being moved to the Museum in 1985.  The presence of this early cross (7th - 8th C) suggests early medieval origins of the site here.  "It probably functioned as a focus within a cemetery, rather than marking a single grave."

Below: Newchurch 2A. (Llanfihanagel Croesfeini).  First noted in graveyard of the ruined chapel there (which had been demolished in 1847).  Irish period, name CUNIGNI is Irish and early 6th C.  Cross added 6th - 9th C.

Below:  Heutren stone (no. 5 on descriptive sheet above).

Below:  Cross-carved stone from Llanfihangel Croesfeini graveyard.  This probably functioned as an upright grave-marker.  Carving suggests aa date of 7th to 9th C.  

Below:  Cynwyl Gaeo 3.  First recorded in 1693-4.  Lhuyd says it was "pitch'd on end" at a place called Pant-y-Polion, but by 1767 it was missing, although the remaining fragment was recorded at Dolaucothi House in 1855.  This is incomplete and the lower part of the monument has been lost.  A 6th century date has been attached to this and there is Irish influence in the lettering and composition.

Below: the "Paulinus" stone (Cynwael Gaeo 2).  Originally noted by Erasmus Saunders in 1693 when it was 'lying flat on ye ground cross a gutter'.  Thomas Morgan wrote to Lhuyd in 1694 stating that it was one of three at Maes Llanwrthwl.  By 1797 it was in use as a gatepost on the farm at Pant-y-Polion but was subsequently broken up.  One part was found in a field and the two remaining pieces had been built into a barn as threshold stones.  Stone type could have been quarried nearby at Llansawel. The translation of the inscription (including lost letters) reads: 'Preserver of the faith and always lover of his homeland, here Paulinus lies the most devout supporter of righteousness.'  (Quite a tribute).

"Many writers have equated the man commemorated on Cynwyl Gaeo 2 with Bishop Paulinus who, according to Rhygyfarch's late 11th C Life of St David, taught St David and was later present at the Synod of Llanddewibrefi.  However, in view of the popularity of the name, no such connection can be made."  Dated to the 5th century.