Sunday, September 18, 2005

NOT THE STONE OF JACOB AFTER ALL:
Stone’s biblical past is exposed as myth

Mark Macaskill and Jason Allardyce (Sunday Times of London)

ACCORDING to legend, it was used as a “pillow” by Jacob, the founder of Israel, as he dreamt of angels ascending to heaven on a ladder.

The fabled Stone of Destiny was then taken from Palestine to the north, where it became the ancient symbol of Scottish kingship.

After spending centuries resting at Westminster Abbey, it takes pride of place in the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle. Now the Duchess of Hamilton claims to have unearthed evidence that unpicks the myth. She says she has proof that the stone, far from originating in the Middle East, was mined somewhat closer to home — Perthshire, in fact.

Jill Hamilton, the author and historian, took rock samples from the Palestinian village of Beitin, the traditional site of Jacob’s epiphany.

[...]

I'm sure it's still a very nice stone. You can see a photo of it here.

No comments:

Post a Comment