Research Casts New Light on Lewis Chessmen
A major study led by National Museums Scotland
has cast new light on the story of the origins and uses of the
iconic Lewis Chessmen.
The Lewis Chessmen
were found on Lewis in 1831. They are believed to have been made in
Scandinavia and to date to the late 12th century. The majority are
in the collection of the British Museum and eleven are owned by the
National Museum of Scotland.
The 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 today 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.
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 also proposes they may have been buried in a
different place in Lewis than previously thought, and that the
pieces may have been carved by up to five different
craftsmen.
Key points include:
1) 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 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
Mèalasta, a few miles south of Uig Strand.
2) If this is the
case, then there is evidence of a medieval settlement at Mèalasta,
and the 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.
3) Dr Caroline
Wilkinson, a facial 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.
4) 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.
5) 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.
‘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.’
The research will feature in the major touring exhibition on the Lewis Chessmen,
held in partnership with the British Museum and with funding from
the Scottish Government, which will open in May 2010.
Further information from Hannah Dolby,
Darren Hutchison, or Kerryn Fraser, Press Office, Tel (0131) 247
4165 or email h.dolby@nms.ac.uk