The Top 10 Archaeolgical Discoveries in Scotland
Compiled by ALICE WYLLIE for the Scotsman
1 The Lewis Chessmen - AD1150-1200
Made from walrus ivory and whale's teeth, the Lewis chessmen comprise a set of seated kings and queens, knights on their mounts, mitred bishops, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks. It is known that they were found on Lewis in the early 19th century, probably buried in sand if their wonderful condition is anything to go by. "The Lewis chessmen are my personal favourite find," says Robin Turner, the head of Archaeology at the National Trust for Scotland, "simply because they are such marvellous characters and so beautifully made. Each piece has incredible wit and character."
Some 93 pieces were discovered in total, 82 of which are in the British Museum in London, with the remaining 11 on show at the Museum of Scotland.
2 Skara Brae Carved Stone Objects - 3100-2500BC
Skara Brae was discovered in 1850, when a storm stripped the grass from a large mound on the mainland of Orkney known as Skerrabra, revealing this Iron Age settlement. Among the many artefacts found were a group of small decorated stone objects, mostly spherical, similar examples of which have been found elsewhere in Scotland. Anne Brundle, the curator of archaeology at the Orkney Museum, says: "We don't know exactly what they were used for, but they may have been early symbols of power, or tokens exchanged to represent a special relationship. They show us that there was so much more to the lives of the inhabitants than survival, emphasising how highly skilled their craftsmen were and telling us a little bit about the hierarchies in their community."
3 Deskford Carnyx - AD100-200
A carnyx is an ornate curved iron-age trumpet that was used in battle, and the Deskford Carnyx is the only one ever found in Britain. Discovered in the early 19th century by peat farmers, it is made of brass and bronze in the shape of a wild boar's head.
Turner says: "By making a replica of the Deskford Carnyx, we now have an idea as to the sound that it might have made. It's a fairly terrifying noise, so it's unsurprising that the Romans were pretty scared by it.
"It is a kind of a precursor to the bagpipes, in that it was intended to inspire the warriors on your own side and to terrify your opponents. The Romans found it so intimidating that they made it the emblem of their enemy."
4 Ballachulish Idol - 600BC
A wooden figure of a female, found in the late 19th century in a peat bog, covered by a wickerwork structure. It is thought to represent a goddess of fertility, as the figure is holding a phallic object over her abdomen. Alison Sheridan, the head of early prehistory at the Museum of Scotland, says: "She has a rather pained expression on her face, because when she was found she had been left to dry out and crack, which is very unfortunate. But she's still wonderfully charming, with the two little pebbles that form her eyes giving her an almost cartoonish appearance.
"It is unclear as to why she was placed under a wickerwork structure. What she shows us is that way back as far as 600BC people were questioning the world around them and had beliefs."
5 Hilton of Cadboll Symbol Stone - AD700-800
The Hilton of Cadboll stone depicts a hunting scene, as well as various ancient symbols widely recognisable elsewhere in Scotland, such as serpents, discs and Z-shaped rods. It was taken from its original site in the 17th century and used as a gravestone, before being donated to the Museum of Scotland in 1921. "There are lots of theories about what the symbols mean," says Turner, "but we don't really know, and I am concerned that we may never know. The hunting scene confirms that the Picts were hunting on horseback, as well as telling us a little bit about how they were clothed and the hunting weapons that they used."
The site of the stone's discovery was recently re-excavated and the bottom half of the stone was found.
6 Cramond Lioness - AD200
"In January 1997 a ferryman in Cramond noticed something peculiar sticking out of the mud, which turned out to be an exquisite stone carving of a lioness devouring a human being," Turner reveals.
"The beast represents death, and is devouring the body of the deceased, and there are two snakes wriggling away, which represent his soul. It is a Roman carving, which would probably have stood guard over an important tomb, and may have been one of a pair."
A large amount of money had to be raised to claim it for the nation, including £35,000 which was raised to compensate the finder, because under Scots law the Crown may claim anything as treasure providing that the person who discovered it is suitably compensated.
7 Rotten Bottom Bow - 4040-3640BC
Discovered in 1991 by a hillwalker, the Rotten Bottom Bow is the oldest bow found in Britain. "It is really a one-in-a-million find, so exquisitely made and incredibly rare," Sheridan says. "The fact that it has survived 6,000 years is astounding, and it gives us so many little clues about the people who used it. It is made of yew, which we know didn't grow in Scotland at that time, so it must have been imported from Ireland or Cumbria. We know that it broke while in use and was discarded on the spot, and since it was found near a precipice we can assume that hunters were driving deer towards the edge of the cliff in order to trap them there.
"It is a perfect example of how one small artefact can answer so many questions about the lives of the people who used it."
8 Orkney Woollen Hood - AD400
The Orkney Woollen Hood is a decorative woven woollen hood with a fringe of long tassels, found almost completely intact in a peat bog in Tankerness in 1867.
"It is incredibly rare to have such an old piece of clothing that has remained so intact, so the hood is really a very special find. It was made for a child but the fringe would have originally been used on an adult's hood," says Sheridan.
"By analysing the weave we were able to discover that it was woven on an upright loom and that the fringe was woven on a tablet, which involves weaving by hand using slivers of bone. A replica was made recently which proved that it would have taken a very long time and an incredible amount of work to make it."
9 Arthur's Seat Coffins - Early 19th century
The Arthur's Seat Coffins were happened upon by a gaggle of schoolboys who were out playing on Arthur's Seat in 1836. They are a series of 17 miniature coffins, each containing a little painted wooden human effigy dressed in clothes.
"They are so charming and fascinating, and they remind us of the superstitions present in society even at such a late stage, although we're not actually sure exactly what they were made for. Some say they have something to do with black magic, while others think they are a little memorial for the 17 victims of the grave-robbers Burke and Hare - a theory that I think is the most likely one," says Turner.
Unfortunately nine of the coffins have crumbled to dust, but the remaining eight are on display at the Museum of Scotland.
10 Scar Viking Boat Burial - AD875-950
The Scar Viking Boat Burial was discovered by a farmer in 1985, after a storm on the island of Sanday in Orkney eroded the coastline.
"After a full excavation by archaeologists, a complete boat was discovered with the skeletons of a man, woman and child inside it, alongside some lovely objects that were included to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. The most spectacular of these is a beautiful linen-smoother with two carved horses' heads, made from whalebone," says Brundle.
"Although some of the objects would have been of special value, others are more commonplace, reflecting the belief that the Afterworld is very much like this one, and that it is good to have supplies to carry there. The boat was the means of transportation from this life to the next," says Turner.
These objects can be seen at the Orkney museum.
Archaeology Week events in Scotland:
• A Week of Bronze Age Bling!
Hands-on activities and demonstrations focusing on the materialistic culture of the Bronze Age. A bronze-casting class takes place on Sunday 23 July. Pre-booking not necessary. 15-23 July 10am-5pm, Archaeolink Prehistory Park, Oyne, Insch, Aberdeenshire. www.archaeolink.co.uk
• Excavation of Two Prehistoric Burial Cairns
Would-be archaeologists can try digging, and guided tours take place for the public from 10am-noon and from 2-4pm. Pre-booking for digging only. 15-23 July, 10am-5pm, Newbarns, Colvend, Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway. www.sat.org.uk
• National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh (0131-247 4422; www.nms.ac.uk ; Orkney Museum, www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
1 The Lewis Chessmen - AD1150-1200
Made from walrus ivory and whale's teeth, the Lewis chessmen comprise a set of seated kings and queens, knights on their mounts, mitred bishops, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks. It is known that they were found on Lewis in the early 19th century, probably buried in sand if their wonderful condition is anything to go by. "The Lewis chessmen are my personal favourite find," says Robin Turner, the head of Archaeology at the National Trust for Scotland, "simply because they are such marvellous characters and so beautifully made. Each piece has incredible wit and character."
Some 93 pieces were discovered in total, 82 of which are in the British Museum in London, with the remaining 11 on show at the Museum of Scotland.
2 Skara Brae Carved Stone Objects - 3100-2500BC
Skara Brae was discovered in 1850, when a storm stripped the grass from a large mound on the mainland of Orkney known as Skerrabra, revealing this Iron Age settlement. Among the many artefacts found were a group of small decorated stone objects, mostly spherical, similar examples of which have been found elsewhere in Scotland. Anne Brundle, the curator of archaeology at the Orkney Museum, says: "We don't know exactly what they were used for, but they may have been early symbols of power, or tokens exchanged to represent a special relationship. They show us that there was so much more to the lives of the inhabitants than survival, emphasising how highly skilled their craftsmen were and telling us a little bit about the hierarchies in their community."
3 Deskford Carnyx - AD100-200
A carnyx is an ornate curved iron-age trumpet that was used in battle, and the Deskford Carnyx is the only one ever found in Britain. Discovered in the early 19th century by peat farmers, it is made of brass and bronze in the shape of a wild boar's head.
Turner says: "By making a replica of the Deskford Carnyx, we now have an idea as to the sound that it might have made. It's a fairly terrifying noise, so it's unsurprising that the Romans were pretty scared by it.
"It is a kind of a precursor to the bagpipes, in that it was intended to inspire the warriors on your own side and to terrify your opponents. The Romans found it so intimidating that they made it the emblem of their enemy."
4 Ballachulish Idol - 600BC
A wooden figure of a female, found in the late 19th century in a peat bog, covered by a wickerwork structure. It is thought to represent a goddess of fertility, as the figure is holding a phallic object over her abdomen. Alison Sheridan, the head of early prehistory at the Museum of Scotland, says: "She has a rather pained expression on her face, because when she was found she had been left to dry out and crack, which is very unfortunate. But she's still wonderfully charming, with the two little pebbles that form her eyes giving her an almost cartoonish appearance.
"It is unclear as to why she was placed under a wickerwork structure. What she shows us is that way back as far as 600BC people were questioning the world around them and had beliefs."
5 Hilton of Cadboll Symbol Stone - AD700-800
The Hilton of Cadboll stone depicts a hunting scene, as well as various ancient symbols widely recognisable elsewhere in Scotland, such as serpents, discs and Z-shaped rods. It was taken from its original site in the 17th century and used as a gravestone, before being donated to the Museum of Scotland in 1921. "There are lots of theories about what the symbols mean," says Turner, "but we don't really know, and I am concerned that we may never know. The hunting scene confirms that the Picts were hunting on horseback, as well as telling us a little bit about how they were clothed and the hunting weapons that they used."
The site of the stone's discovery was recently re-excavated and the bottom half of the stone was found.
6 Cramond Lioness - AD200
"In January 1997 a ferryman in Cramond noticed something peculiar sticking out of the mud, which turned out to be an exquisite stone carving of a lioness devouring a human being," Turner reveals.
"The beast represents death, and is devouring the body of the deceased, and there are two snakes wriggling away, which represent his soul. It is a Roman carving, which would probably have stood guard over an important tomb, and may have been one of a pair."
A large amount of money had to be raised to claim it for the nation, including £35,000 which was raised to compensate the finder, because under Scots law the Crown may claim anything as treasure providing that the person who discovered it is suitably compensated.
7 Rotten Bottom Bow - 4040-3640BC
Discovered in 1991 by a hillwalker, the Rotten Bottom Bow is the oldest bow found in Britain. "It is really a one-in-a-million find, so exquisitely made and incredibly rare," Sheridan says. "The fact that it has survived 6,000 years is astounding, and it gives us so many little clues about the people who used it. It is made of yew, which we know didn't grow in Scotland at that time, so it must have been imported from Ireland or Cumbria. We know that it broke while in use and was discarded on the spot, and since it was found near a precipice we can assume that hunters were driving deer towards the edge of the cliff in order to trap them there.
"It is a perfect example of how one small artefact can answer so many questions about the lives of the people who used it."
8 Orkney Woollen Hood - AD400
The Orkney Woollen Hood is a decorative woven woollen hood with a fringe of long tassels, found almost completely intact in a peat bog in Tankerness in 1867.
"It is incredibly rare to have such an old piece of clothing that has remained so intact, so the hood is really a very special find. It was made for a child but the fringe would have originally been used on an adult's hood," says Sheridan.
"By analysing the weave we were able to discover that it was woven on an upright loom and that the fringe was woven on a tablet, which involves weaving by hand using slivers of bone. A replica was made recently which proved that it would have taken a very long time and an incredible amount of work to make it."
9 Arthur's Seat Coffins - Early 19th century
The Arthur's Seat Coffins were happened upon by a gaggle of schoolboys who were out playing on Arthur's Seat in 1836. They are a series of 17 miniature coffins, each containing a little painted wooden human effigy dressed in clothes.
"They are so charming and fascinating, and they remind us of the superstitions present in society even at such a late stage, although we're not actually sure exactly what they were made for. Some say they have something to do with black magic, while others think they are a little memorial for the 17 victims of the grave-robbers Burke and Hare - a theory that I think is the most likely one," says Turner.
Unfortunately nine of the coffins have crumbled to dust, but the remaining eight are on display at the Museum of Scotland.
10 Scar Viking Boat Burial - AD875-950
The Scar Viking Boat Burial was discovered by a farmer in 1985, after a storm on the island of Sanday in Orkney eroded the coastline.
"After a full excavation by archaeologists, a complete boat was discovered with the skeletons of a man, woman and child inside it, alongside some lovely objects that were included to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. The most spectacular of these is a beautiful linen-smoother with two carved horses' heads, made from whalebone," says Brundle.
"Although some of the objects would have been of special value, others are more commonplace, reflecting the belief that the Afterworld is very much like this one, and that it is good to have supplies to carry there. The boat was the means of transportation from this life to the next," says Turner.
These objects can be seen at the Orkney museum.
Archaeology Week events in Scotland:
• A Week of Bronze Age Bling!
Hands-on activities and demonstrations focusing on the materialistic culture of the Bronze Age. A bronze-casting class takes place on Sunday 23 July. Pre-booking not necessary. 15-23 July 10am-5pm, Archaeolink Prehistory Park, Oyne, Insch, Aberdeenshire. www.archaeolink.co.uk
• Excavation of Two Prehistoric Burial Cairns
Would-be archaeologists can try digging, and guided tours take place for the public from 10am-noon and from 2-4pm. Pre-booking for digging only. 15-23 July, 10am-5pm, Newbarns, Colvend, Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway. www.sat.org.uk
• National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh (0131-247 4422; www.nms.ac.uk ; Orkney Museum, www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
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