3,000-year-old Bronze Age Highlander Hoard Discovered in Scotland

Recent laboratory investigations by GUARD Archaeology have unveiled fascinating details about a Bronze Age hoard discovered in Rosemarkie, Highland Scotland. This remarkable find includes nine bronze bracelets and necklaces buried around 1000 BC, along with rare organic plant remains, providing invaluable insights into the lives, beliefs, and practices of Bronze Age highlanders.

Discovery and Significance

The Bronze Age hoard was uncovered during pre-development excavations by GUARD Archaeology for Pat Munro Homes at Greenside in Rosemarkie.

This find is significant, as the hoard was not found in isolation, but is part of a prehistoric settlement comprising at least six roundhouses and a Bronze Age cist grave. This context allows archaeologists to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Bronze Age community that once inhabited this area.

The laboratory excavation revealed a complete neck ring, a partial neck ring, six penannular (incomplete ring) bracelets, and one cup-ended penannular bracelet. These artifacts were intertwined with fibrous cords which had survived the 3000-year interment, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship of the time.

The preservation of these organic materials is particularly significant, as they provide rare evidence of the methods used to bind these objects together, notes the GUARD Archaeology report.

 

Detail photograph showing organic plant binding intertwined with the artifacts. (GUARD Archaeology)

Preservation and Analysis

The successful recovery of these artifacts was overseen by Rachel Buckley, who emphasized the controlled conditions necessary to preserve the delicate organic cords.

Buckley explained the process:

“The recovery of the artifacts was successfully carried out under the controlled conditions necessary to preserve these highly significant objects, particularly the very delicate organic cords that tether some of the objects together…. Where bracelets were held together with organic material, these were recovered as a group to allow further detailed study. While there are other examples of hoards where it has been postulated that items were bound together due to their positioning, the vegetation in the Rosemarkie hoard has survived for approximately 3000 years, proving that these artifacts were held together.”

The anti-microbial properties of copper in the bronze likely contributed to the preservation of these materials, as the corrosion products from the copper adhered to the organics, protecting them from decay.

The excavation team, led by conservator Will Murray from the Scottish Conservation Studio, meticulously documented the plant bindings intertwined with the bronze objects. This discovery confirms that the artifacts were intentionally bound together, rather than merely positioned close to one another by chance.

X ray image of hoard taken prior to excavation in GUARD Archaeology’s Finds Lab. (GUARD Archaeology)

Future Investigations and Educational Outreach

Over the next few months, GUARD Archaeology will further examine the various strands of evidence to understand why the hoard was buried in this location. The archaeologists surmise that as the shallow pit was filled at one time and only contains the hoard, this suggests that the burial was deliberate, possibly intended as temporary storage. The surrounding settlement’s evidence may indicate whether the hoard and the settlement were abandoned simultaneously.

Rosemarkie housing development and the site of the archaeological discovery. (GUARD Archaeology)

The archaeological work, funded by Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd as part of planning consent conditions by Highland Council, has also paved the way for educational initiatives. Hamish Little, Senior Manager of Pat Munro Homes, expressed enthusiasm for involving Fortrose Academy’s pupils in learning about the hoard’s historical significance. Plans are underway to create a permanent feature on or near the site to tell the story of this discovery, fostering community engagement and educating visitors about the Bronze Age heritage of Rosemarkie.

Top image: Pre-excavation photograph of hoard prior to excavation in GUARD Archaeology’s Finds Lab; Xray of hoard; Cup-ended penannular bracelet.       Source: GUARD Archaeology

By Gary Manners