On the beach at Uig on a stormy day with the sand being blown into the most amazing patterns.
The Lewis Chessmen were found in sand dunes here in 1831 after a storm shifted the sand in the dunes, revealing 78 carved chess pieces made from walrus ivory. It's thought they were made in the 12th century, how they ended up on this beach is a mystery. Experts think they belonged to traders travelling between Norway and Ireland, probably washed up here after some kind of mishap at sea. And here they stayed, buried in the sand until they were found 700 years later.
Most of the pieces are in the British Museum in London but 6 are on display in a new museum in Stornoway on Lewis. Considering their history and how long they were on the beach, they are in incredibly good condition, beautifully carved and all so different in design.
Thanks for all your recent comments and favs, very much appreciated, still catching up but getting there!
We saw the Lewis chessmen at an exhibition in Canberra earlier this year. The exhibition was from the British Museum and the exhibition was History of the World in 100 Objects. It was a fabulous exhibition. Have you seen the Lewis Chessmen?
@onewing we went to the museum in Stornaway last week to see the 6 they have on display there, I thought they were incredible. There's been a debate about whether they should all be returned to Lewis but the British Museum want to keep them in London. It's good that you saw them while they were on tour!
We saw the Lewis chessmen at an exhibition in Canberra earlier this year. The exhibition was from the British Museum and the exhibition was History of the World in 100 Objects. It was a fabulous exhibition. Have you seen the Lewis Chessmen?