Archaeologists from GUARD Archaeology recently made an exciting discovery in Rosemarkie, Scotland: a hoard of Bronze Age artifacts. This significant find, uncovered during preparations for a new housing development by Pat Munro Homes, includes nine bronze bracelets and necklaces dating back to around 1000 BCE.

The hoard was found within a prehistoric settlement that once housed six roundhouses and a Bronze Age cist grave. The site also featured a timber palisade fence, which likely served as protection for the community living there. This discovery adds another layer to our understanding of ancient Scottish settlements and their inhabitants.

Rachel Buckley, who led the excavation team from GUARD Archaeology, shared insights into the meticulous process of unearthing these delicate artifacts. She emphasized the importance of controlled conditions during the excavation to preserve the highly significant objects, particularly the fragile organic cords that were found intertwined with some of the bronze items.

The hoard itself is a fascinating collection: six penannular bracelets, one cup-ended penannular bracelet, a complete neck ring, a partial neck ring, and the surprising discovery of fibrous plant cords. These cords, which bound the bracelets together, have miraculously survived for approximately 3,000 years, a rarity in archaeological finds.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this discovery is the preservation of these ancient plant materials. The survival of these cords for millennia is attributed to the antimicrobial properties of the copper in the bronze, which helped to protect them from decay. Rachel Buckley noted that while other hoards have been found with items positioned as if they were bound together, the Rosemarkie hoard is unique in that the organic cords have actually survived.

This discovery is more than just a collection of ancient jewelry; it provides a window into the broader context of the settlement where it was found. Iraia Arabaolaza, who is overseeing the analysis of the site, explained that the hoard was carefully placed in a shallow pit, which was then quickly backfilled. This suggests that the hoard may have been intended for temporary storage, with plans to retrieve it later—plans that were never realized. The ongoing analysis of the surrounding settlement may reveal whether the entire community was abandoned along with the hoard.

This find adds to the growing body of knowledge about Bronze Age Scotland, complementing other discoveries made by GUARD Archaeology, such as a similar hoard found in Carnoustie. Together, these finds are helping to piece together a more complete picture of the cultural practices and societal structures of ancient Scottish communities.

The analysis of the Rosemarkie hoard and its context is ongoing, promising to reveal even more about why this treasure was buried and what it tells us about life in Scotland 3,000 years ago. Each new discovery adds to our understanding of the past, helping us connect the dots of human history.

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