This stone is one of a series of carved stones which told the story of the beginning of the world as described in the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible.
The stones spent some 700 years around the west door of York Minster, before their removal in 1990 after they were found to be unsafe or beyond repair.
This stone and two other examples are now on display in the undercroft below the Minster, where an exhibition tells the history of the Minster site since it was originally used by the Romans as the site of their headquarters in York.
Minster masons carved new stones interpreting the Genesis story and they were placed around the west door to replace the original stones.
What an interesting history of these sculptures and what a privilege for us to see them through your camera lens. I love the history of them you shared.
Thank you all for your lovely comments - I'm pleased so many of you enjoy history as we do!
Denise - the stones were replaced around the west door in the early 1990s, would your cousin have worked there then?
Bruni - there are three of these stones on display in the undercroft area for the foreseeable future. I'm not sure what happened to the others, but it's quite possible that some may have been sold to help fund more restoration.
Ian
February 9th, 2015
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Thank you all for your lovely comments - I'm pleased so many of you enjoy history as we do!
Denise - the stones were replaced around the west door in the early 1990s, would your cousin have worked there then?
Bruni - there are three of these stones on display in the undercroft area for the foreseeable future. I'm not sure what happened to the others, but it's quite possible that some may have been sold to help fund more restoration.
Ian