WORK is beginning to reveal the secrets behind a Bronze Age hoard discovered in a village in the Highlands.
Recent investigations by Guard Archaeology revealed rare organic plant remains intertwined with nine bronze bracelets and necklaces buried around 1000 BC.
It was discovered during excavations conducted prior to the development of new three and four-bed homes by developer Pat Munro Homes.
What makes the find particularly significant is that it was not an isolated find, but discovered within the middle of a prehistoric settlement – a Bronze Age village comprising at least six roundhouses and a cist grave.
Hamish Little, senior manager with Pat Munro Homes, said: “It’s been a great experience for the team at Pat Munro homes to work with the archaeologists at our development at Greenside, Rosemarkie and also be part of the team that uncovered the Bronze Age artefacts.
“We are hoping to work together with the archaeologists, and other partners in the coming months to involve the local secondary school, Fortrose Academy, in learning more about its historical significance and getting pupils involved in helping to design a permanent feature on or near the site that will tell the story and can be shared with the local community and visitors to the area.”
The excavation conducted by a team of Guard archaeologists alongside conservator Will Murray from the Scottish Conservation Studio revealed nine bronze artefacts, including one complete neck ring, one partial neck ring, six penannular bracelets and one cup-ended penannular bracelet.
Rachel Buckley, who led the laboratory excavation, said: “The recovery of the artefacts 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 30 years, proving these artefacts were held together.”
Over the next few months, the team of specialists brought together by Guard Archaeology will examine the various strands of evidence that may explain why the hoard was buried in the village.
Iraia Arabaolaza, who is managing Guard Archaeology’s analyses, commented: “That the hoard was buried under a single homogenous fill within a shallow pit with little extra room for anything other than what was found within, indicates that this was no accidental loss.
“It would seem that the shallow pit was dug to the required length and depth to accommodate the items, before then being quickly backfilled.
“It may be that it was intended as temporary storage with the intention of recovering the hoard at some stage.
“The evidence from the surrounding settlement may reveal whether it was not just the hoard that was abandoned but the settlement as well.”
