Gerrard, C. M., ed. (2005). Able minds and practiced hands:. Leeds: Maney Publishing.

the author explains the background to Able minds and practiced hands, the 2003 seminar on Scottish early medieval sculpture organised by Historic Scotland, including the history of Historic Scotland's approach to these sculptures, and the key themes and priorities that have emerged

the paper looks at research and new knowledge that can be obtained from early medieval sculpture, and in particular from the study of its context. The author suggests how that context may be defined, and the kind of result that may obtain, using the Tarbat peninsula in Easter Ross (Highland) as a case study

the paper considers the history of Scottish carved stones between their creation and the beginnings of sustained antiquarian speculation in the eighteenth century, during which time they shed their original significance, suffered damage and decay, and became objects of archaeological study. The author looks at how they were perceived in early writings, and at the evidence provided by the sculptures themselves

the paper provides a brief overview of the symbolism and structure of cross-bases, with particular attention to western Scotland

the author considers the upright, Latin-inscribed pillars of the fifth, sixth and early-seventh centuries from southern Scotland, arguing that, rather than constituting a single group, there are two distinct strands represented, one ecclesiastical and the other, though Christian, primarily secular, each having different functions which they performed in different social and physical contexts

the author presents a reappraisal of the visual material from J Romilly Allen and Joseph Anderson's work, The Early Christian monuments of Scotland (1903), as an introduction to an assessment of whether or not the rate of deterioration of the stones has increased since that time, and the measures taken over the past 100 years to conserve them

the authors offer some comments on runic inscriptions on early medieval stone sculpture in Scotland, based on their recent work on the Scandinavian runic inscriptions of Britain and covering topics such as authenticity and reporting of finds; preservation; interpretation; and aspects of the carver's work such as competence; opportunity; literacy; and tools

the author examines a series of incised depictions of bulls from Burghead recorded in The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland, and discusses J Romilly Allen's method of recording them

the author examines the cross-slabs located on the Tarbat peninsula as a related group which share several motifs, decorative details and carving styles. The paper derives from a study in progress of the original location of each stone and its relationship with its physical and social environment; the relationship between sculptors and patrons, and the role of the monastic estate; and a close analysis of the figural and decorative ornament on each monument

the paper examines the geological characteristics of the early medieval sculptures in Angus and Perth and Kinross, and evaluates the use of these data in sourcing the stone used. The geological characteristics have also been used to identify which, if any, carved fragments are likely to have come from the same monument. A petrological and magnetic susceptibility measurement survey was carried out on 112 early medieval sculptures found in the area, and lithological characterisation of the sculpture was compared to that of outcrops in the area

describes the development of, and possibilities identified by, Historic Scotland's Interpretation Plan for early medieval carved stones in its care

the paper charts the history of collecting early medieval stones and thereby removing them from their original context, and examines the thinking behind it, using Angus Council Museums as a case study

the paper examines some of the nascent technologies that may represent the next stage in the evolution of 3D modelling, including techniques for controlling the lighting conditions under which models are seen or for changing the context in which they are displayed, as well as new techniques for recreating three-dimensionality from two-dimensional images

the author presents a personal view of the limitations for the modern user of Allen and Anderson's work, The Early Christian monuments of Scotland, including the existence of a considerable body or work published since 1903 on monuments included in that work and others discovered since, and argues for the creation of a new corpus providing a complete record of all surviving and recorded early medieval sculpture in Scotland