The Picts are a mysterious tribe from Scottish history, often thought as ‘savage warriors’ we don’t know a lot about them as their historical records stem largely from the Roman Empire who were their bitter rivals. Despite many attempts by Romans to move in on Pictish territory, and having dominated other areas of Britain easily, they still could not conquer this ancient tribe.
The first mention of Picts comes from a Roman chronicler in 287 CE, yet no written record of them can be found post 900 CE which leaves historians puzzled by their ‘mysterious’ disappearance as all that remains of their legacy are carved stones, settlements and place names in Scotland.
Rest assured, researchers have confirmed there was much more to these ‘savage warriors’ than just that as they boasted a ‘sophisticated culture’ and a long history despite not being so well-known today. So, to learn more about the fascinating Picts of Scotland here are 13 facts about them.
9. These ‘savage warriors’ went to battle in the nude
Historical records from the Roman Empire indicate that Picts would battle with their soldiers while totally naked. In the grand scheme of history this is not particularly unbelievable as many people were known to fight in the nude throughout time but in the case of Picts this may have been deliberate as to showcase their unusual tattooed bodies as a means of striking fear into their enemies. Photo: via WikiCommons
10. The Picts likely never used Tartan apparel
Depending on who you ask, clan tartans in Scotland may be considered a relatively modern invention in the country. As it stands, there is no compelling evidence for its use by the Picts although it has been suggested that tartan may have been used by others in Scotland from the third or fourth century. Photo: via WikiCommons
11. They were proficient stone carvers
Stones with beautifully intricate designs and fascinating inscriptions which were made by the Picts can be found all over Scotland. To date, there are over 300 Pictish Stones that feature a range of symbols from mysterious unidentified beasts to better known creatures like dragons. Most do not contain any type of writing apart from Ogham (an ancient alphabet from Ireland). Photo: Submitted
12. 10% of Scotland’s population descends from the Picts
A genetics study conducted in 2013 discovered that around 10% of Scottish men may have been descended from ancient Pict communities. A characteristic genetic feature of the Picts is the Y chromosome marker known as R1b-S530 and this appeared 10 times more in males with Scottish patrilineal descent. By comparison, only 3% of Irishmen and 1% of Englishmen were found to have this genetic marker. Photo: via WikiCommons