ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed evidence of an early medieval jewellery workshop and a stone ring in a 1500-year-old churchyard in Glasgow.
Community volunteers, along with archaeologists, made the discovery at the home of one of the most “impressive” collections of early medieval sculptures found in Europe at Govan Old.
The churchyard in Govan has been a prominent site on the banks of the Clyde for more than 1500 years, as it is one of the earliest places of Christian worship in Scotland.
Experts say one recent find in particular, an unfinished finger ring known as a roughout, gives a “rare insight” into the fashions favoured by the high-status inhabitants of the site between 1000 and 1500 years ago.
Similar pieces of jewellery were unearthed following excavations in the 1990s, but experts say the latest examples are further indications of the popularity of shale finger rings, a material possibly used to resemble rare and expensive jet, among the fashionable church and secular elites.
Archaeologists have been excavating the teardrop-shaped kirkyard at Govan Old for a number of years now and have previously unearthed Viking-age treasures, carved stones from the ninth century, which have lain in the grounds for more than 1000 years.
The monuments and their symbols represent some of the best surviving evidence of the early medieval Kingdom of Strathclyde and have now been rehomed inside Govan Old Church.
Despite extensive research being carried out on the site, archaeologists believe there is still more to be discovered and have been keen to get the local community involved.
The dig and survey, led by Professor Stephen Driscoll of Govan Heritage Trust and undertaken by volunteers and Clyde Archaeology, has been investigating the ancient graveyard throughout the summer.
Professor Driscoll said: “Exploring Govan’s exceptional archaeology over the past 30 years has been a great privilege, but the most rewarding part of it has been working with the many volunteers, students and colleagues whose energy, enthusiasm and friendship drive the project”.
The discovery of the potential jewellery workshop helps back archaeologists' beliefs that light industrial activity at the site, which is known to have been used as a Christian centre since approximately AD 500, could be older than the similar site at Iona.
Experts explained that the manufacture of high-status jewellery is well known at elite Christian and royal centres in both the lands that would become Scotland and across European Christendom, and the growing assemblage at Govan Old reinforces the picture of Govan as a “royally-sponsored” church centre of huge importance and wealth.
They added that Clyde Britons appear to have used Govan Old as their principal ecclesiastical site since the early sixth century AD, with burials discovered in the 1990s excavations next to the present A-listed church scientifically dated to that period.
The dig continues until Sunday, September 20 and to celebrate the end of the excavations, the Govan Stones Museum, which contains the large collection of early medieval carved stones found over the centuries, is hosting a Viking Age Festival on Saturday19 and Sunday 20.
Part of Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival, visitors will be able to meet traditional craftspeople, arms experts, and artisans from the 10th century Kingdom of Strathclyde, with interactive demonstrations and “hands-on fun” for families.
Open 11am-4pm both days, the Viking Festival, which will take place both inside Govan Old and the surrounding churchyard, is completely free of charge, having been sponsored by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland and Glasgow City Heritage Trust.
