The Picts have fascinated for centuries. They emerged c. ad 300 to defy
the might of the Roman empire only to disappear at the end of the first
millennium ad, yet they left major legacies. They laid the foundations
for the medieval Scottish kingdom and their captivating carved stones
are some of the most eye-catching yet enigmatic monuments in Europe.
Until recently the Picts have been difficult to trace due to limited
archaeological investigation and documentary sources, but innovative new
research has produced critical new insights into the culture of a highly
sophisticated society which defied the might of the Roman Empire and
forged a powerful realm dominating much of northern Britain.
This is the first dedicated book on the Picts that covers in detail both
their archaeology and their history. It examines their kingdoms,
culture, beliefs and everyday lives from their origins to their end, not
only incorporating current thinking on the subject, but also offering
innovative perspectives that transform our understanding of the early
history of Scotland.