Tongland Dig

Today's the day ………………………. for Rodger's legs

Right at the end of the Tongland Abbey Archaeological Dig last year, a piece of carved stone was found. 

It was eventually thought to be a fragment from the forearm of a life-size monumental effigy of an armoured figure - rather like the effigy of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, in Dunkeld Cathedral as shown in the extra. So when Rodger was digging in his trench this year - which is very close to where the carved stone had been found - and came upon the above, it was very tempting to think that this might be another bit of the armoured figure.  It was embedded in the wall of the trench and looked for all the world like a pair of legs.  We were all convinced that on the end of the 'legs' would be some nicely carved feet.

Of course, you can't just go hacking at the walls of trenches.  Everything has to be trowelled meticulously, recording and photographing as you go - and we all had to be very patient until it was appropriate for Rodger's Legs to be revealed.

And today was the day when it happened.  But unfortunately, as you can see, there were no feet.  Rodger's Legs were something else in the abbey.  Perhaps two carved pillars?  Who knows - but one thing is pretty much certain - they belong to Tongland Abbey and someone has had a hand in their making.

Still an exciting find ……………...