This week, St Bridget’s Church in West Kirby and the neighboring West Kirby Museum became hubs of archaeological interest, hosting a special visit from academics and students from Manchester Metropolitan University. The focus of their visit? The enigmatic Viking hogback stone housed within the church and medieval stone fragments in the museum. This wasn’t just a casual viewing; it was a deep dive, a “Doctor Hogback” level examination, if you will, into these significant historical artifacts.
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Alt text: Dr. Ben Edwards from Manchester Metropolitan University explains photogrammetry techniques to students at the West Kirby Museum, focusing on the study of historical artifacts like the hogback stone.
The West Kirby Museum, a treasure trove of local history open every Saturday, displays a fascinating collection that spans from the medieval period to modern times. St Bridget’s Church, welcoming visitors most afternoons, is itself a site of historical significance, boasting 19th-century renovations alongside older features and a notable churchyard.
The esteemed Dr. Ben Edwards and Dr. Seren Griffiths from Manchester Metropolitan University led the academic expedition. Accompanied by their MA students, they were there to conduct a detailed photogrammetric survey. Their targets were the renowned Viking hogback stone in the church and a selection of medieval stones held by the museum. This hands-on approach provides invaluable experience for students and generates high-resolution data for further research into these historical relics.
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Alt text: The West Kirby Museum entrance showcases Side A of the hogback stone, inviting visitors to explore Viking Age history and artifacts.
Heritage and Hogbacks: A Collaborative Approach
Drs. Edwards and Griffiths are no strangers to digital heritage. Their ongoing project, “Heritage Together,” utilizes 3D digital modeling to document and study prehistoric and historic sites, particularly in North Wales. Their website, Heritage Together, showcases their commitment to community engagement in archaeological research.
Joining them for this West Kirby visit were Dr. Patricia Murrieta-Flores and myself from the University of Chester’s Department of History and Archaeology, along with my son Tobias. Our aim was to contribute to the discussion, bringing our expertise in early medieval stone sculpture to the table, complementing the photogrammetry work with in-depth artifact analysis.
Decoding the West Kirby Hogback Stone
The West Kirby hogback stone stands out as a particularly important artifact. One of only two hogbacks found in the Wirral, it strongly suggests Hiberno-Norse influence and potential settlement in the region during the Viking Age. This is further supported by place-name evidence, historical records, and other archaeological discoveries in the area. While the original hogback resides in St Bridget’s Church, a replica allows for wider public engagement with this piece of history at the Museum of Liverpool.
Despite its significance, the West Kirby hogback bears the marks of time and potential damage. The top surface is heavily scarred, leading to speculation about missing end pieces. The stone is decorated with three distinct bands on Side A: a wheel and bar pattern at the top, representations of skeuomorphic shingle-roof tegulae in the middle, and intricate plaitwork at the bottom.
Side B, often overlooked in photographs, presents a contrasting aesthetic. While the decorative arrangement mirrors Side A, the details differ significantly. For instance, the tegulae on Side B are incised rather than carved in relief, indicating variations in carving technique or potentially different stages of completion.
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Alt text: Tobias observes the West Kirby hogback stone at the West Kirby Museum, engaging with the history and artistry of Viking Age sculpture.
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Alt text: Side A of the West Kirby hogback stone, the most frequently photographed view, showcasing its intricate carvings and historical significance.
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Alt text: Side B of the West Kirby hogback stone, revealing a similar decorative layout but with notable differences in carving style and detail compared to Side A.
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Alt text: Overhead view of the hogback stone, highlighting the extensive damage to its top surface and prompting questions about its original form and potential alterations.
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Alt text: Detail of the end of the West Kirby hogback stone, providing a closer look at the carving techniques and the stone’s weathered texture.
Rethinking the Hogback: A Monument in Question?
My own research, presented at the Istanbul EAA, proposes a provocative interpretation of the West Kirby hogback. I argue that it might be considered an unfinished, hurried, or even a “failed” monument. Further exploration of this concept can be found on my blog in a post titled “Dead Ends, Funerary Flops and Monumental Failures: Archaeologies of Mortuary Disasters. This perspective, developed through numerous visits and discussions with Runes Network members during a 2013 West Kirby visit, challenges traditional interpretations and encourages a re-evaluation of the monument’s creation process and intended message.
Crucially, sharing these ideas with local experts familiar with the hogback proved insightful. Their existing observations aligned with my interpretations, reinforcing the notion that the monument’s peculiarities are evident to those closely acquainted with it. The input from Drs. Griffiths, Murrieta-Flores, and Edwards further enriched this dialogue.
Looking ahead, Dr. Murrieta-Flores and I are planning a detailed study of the West Kirby hogback, leveraging laser scans generously provided by Liverpool Museums. This research will focus on the monument’s asymmetries and unique characteristics, aspects often overlooked in previous analyses, promising a fresh perspective on this significant piece of Viking Age sculpture.
Beyond the Hogback: West Kirby’s Stone Sculpture Collection
The hogback, while prominent, is just one component of West Kirby’s rich collection of tenth-century stones. Similar to Neston and St John’s Chester, West Kirby boasts a collection of early medieval stone fragments. Some appear to originate from low wheel-crosses, likely markers for high-status graves. Intriguingly, one fragment may even be part of a second hogback monument, suggesting a potentially larger complex of funerary sculpture in the area. Richard Bailey’s Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture, Volume IX, provides detailed descriptions of these stones, summarized below:
- West Kirby 1 – cross-shaft – 10th century
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Alt text: West Kirby Stone 1, a 10th-century cross-shaft fragment, part of the collection of early medieval sculpture at West Kirby Museum.
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Alt text: Another view of West Kirby Stone 1, showcasing its carved surface and providing insights into Anglo-Saxon artistry and stonework.
- West Kirby 2 – fragmentary cross-head 10th century
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Alt text: West Kirby Stone 2, a 10th-century fragmentary cross-head, illustrating the style of early medieval Christian iconography in the region.
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Alt text: Additional perspective on West Kirby Stone 2, emphasizing the craftsmanship and detailing of this ancient stone fragment.
- West Kirby 3 – fragmentary cross-head 10th century
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Alt text: West Kirby Stone 3, another 10th-century cross-head fragment, contributing to the understanding of Viking Age sculpture and religious practices at West Kirby.
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Alt text: Further view of West Kirby Stone 3, highlighting its decorative elements and its place within the broader context of Anglo-Saxon stone carving.
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Alt text: Detailed shot of West Kirby Stone 3, allowing for close examination of the carving techniques and the stone’s surface texture after centuries of weathering.
- West Kirby 5 – fragment of recumbent slab or hogback – 10th century
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Alt text: West Kirby Stone 5, a 10th-century fragment possibly from a recumbent slab or another hogback, suggesting a larger complex of Viking Age monuments in West Kirby.
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Alt text: Alternative angle of West Kirby Stone 5, providing a comprehensive view of this enigmatic stone fragment and its potential origins.
- West Kirby 6 – cross – 11th century
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Alt text: West Kirby Stone 6, an 11th-century cross fragment, indicating continued stone carving traditions in West Kirby beyond the Viking Age.
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Alt text: An ‘infant’s coffin’ at West Kirby Museum, showcasing a different type of historical artifact alongside the Viking Age stone sculptures.
Future Directions: Enhancing Understanding and Display
Much remains to be explored to fully understand, interpret, and effectively communicate the significance of the stone sculpture collection at West Kirby Museum and St Bridget’s Church. This includes not only the hogback and the early medieval stones but also later medieval stonework. While the museum offers a modern and engaging display, complemented by a smart website, certain aspects of this sculpture still need greater attention in the current presentation.
These considerations align with the research of my PhD student, Joanne Kirton, whose doctoral thesis investigates methods to enrich our understanding of Viking Age sculpture assemblages like West Kirby’s. Her work with St John’s Chester on redisplaying their Viking Age stones further highlights the importance of innovative approaches to museum interpretation. Joanne’s research promises valuable contributions to how we understand the original meaning and subsequent history of these stones, as well as their contemporary display and relevance.
The offer from Drs. Edwards and Griffiths to share their photogrammetry data is gratefully received and will be invaluable for future research. We anticipate ongoing discussions with them and our West Kirby colleagues to explore how our collaborative efforts can further enhance the appreciation and presentation of these remarkable monuments, both on-site and online, ensuring the legacy of the “doctor hogback” level of scrutiny continues to illuminate these historical treasures.
