Lewis Chessmen may not have been found in Ardroil
THE iconic Lewis Chessmen may not have been found in Ardroil in Uig as first thought – and the pieces could have been carved by up to five different people.
These are two findings announced this week following a major study led by National Museums Scotland which has cast new light on the story of the origins and uses of the Chessmen.
The study challenges the widely held view that they were part of a merchant's hoard when they were buried on Lewis, and suggests that they may have been used for games other than chess.
It proposes they may have been buried in a different place in Lewis than previously thought – Malasta and not Ardroil - and that the pieces may have been carved by up to five different craftsmen.
The Lewis Chessmen were found on Lewis in 1831 and are believed to have been made in Scandinavia and to date to the late 12th century.
Of the 93 pieces found, 92 are kept at the British Museum, with 11 held by the National Museum of Scotland.
This latest research, led by Dr David Caldwell, Keeper of Scotland in Europe, National Museums Scotland, is the most wide-ranging and multidisciplinary study on the chessmen since 1832 and is published this week in the journal Medieval Archaeology.
Dr Caldwell worked with Mark Hall of Perth Museum and Art Gallery and Dr Caroline Wilkinson of the University of Dundee to re-examine existing theories and look at the chessmen in a new way.
Key points include:
The currently accepted version of the hoard's discovery is that it was recovered by a local man, Malcolm MacLeod, from the sand dunes at Ardroil on the south side of Uig Strand. However, they say this is based on later accounts by a local story-teller, and Dr Caldwell and his co-authors believe it is more likely that they were found at Malasta, a few miles south of Uig Strand.
If this is the case, then there is evidence of a medieval settlement at Malasta, and they say the hoard could have belonged to a significant local figure such as a bishop or clan chief, rather than being left by a merchant on his way elsewhere.
Dr Caroline Wilkinson, a forensic anthropologist, analysed the faces of the chessmen and demonstrated that the majority of the pieces could be divided into groups possibly representing the work of five different craftsmen.
The pieces may have been used for games other than chess – primarily hnefatfl, popular in the medieval Scandinavian world. At least three games are represented in the hoard.
Some of the pieces may date from the early 13th century rather than the 12th century.
Dr Caldwell says: 'These are arguably the most famous treasures to come out of the ground in Scotland, and have worldwide recognition – so the danger is that we assume we know all there is to be known about them.
"We were keen to reassess the whole story of the pieces and their significance, to reignite interest in a little known period of our history."
He went on: "We found problems with the accepted version of where the chessmen were found, and would argue that they could have been owned by an important local person rather than abandoned by a travelling merchant.
"We also looked at the hoard from an entirely new perspective, examining their faces to check for similarities in their carving. We hope that this research proves it is always possible to cast new light on these fascinating pieces," said Dr Caldwell.
Norrie MacGregor of the Stornoway Historical Society said that many publications contained information about the chessmen, one being The Lewis Chessmen by Michael Taylor, for British Museum Publications.
It stated: "The actual place of their discovery is on the south shore of Uig Bay on the island's western shore, but there are differing accounts of how they were found."
The booklet says that in 1831 Malcolm Macleod, tenant of Penny Donald in Uig, found more than 80 'of these carved relics' and they were sold in Edinburgh.
"It is intriguing to speculate on how the chessmen got to the remote Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. All the pieces that are now in Edinburgh and London are complete, and so presumably Lewis was not the site of the workshop. More likely they belonged to some merchant who, travelling by sea or land, lost a part of his stock in circumstances we shall never know."
Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus MacNeil has called for the Lewis Chessmen to be based permanently on the island.
Said Mr MacNeil: "Clearly over the last number of years, there has been pressure placed on the British Museum to move the pieces back to Scotland. The right place in Scotland is Lewis. The National Museum of Scotland also has a part to play, as they too hold some pieces, albeit a minority. Only some are coming back (during a touring exhibition) and for a limited time which is not good enough."
However, Mr MacGregor does not feel the chessmen should be based in Lewis. "We haven't a suitable museum in Lewis at the moment," he said, adding that the present museum could not house the items already on the island.
Perhaps the situation could be looked at should the plans for Lews Castle be developed in future to house a museum.
This week's study of the Lewis Chessmen will feature in the major touring exhibition on the Chessmen, held in partnership with the British Museum and with funding from the Scottish Government, which will open in May 2010.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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