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The Carpow logboat was discovered in the bed of the River Tay in 2001, and recovered last year. It’s the second oldest to be found in Scotland, and dates from the late Bronze Age.
The exhibition at the Laing Museum in Newburgh is a display of photographs about its discovery and excavation – the actual boat is still at the National Museum of Scotland undergoing conservation work.
The exhibition also shows other objects found in the Newburgh area including flint arrowheads, stone axeheads, pottery food vessels, and funeral urns.
The exhibition has been put together in conjunction with Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and runs until September 30, from noon-5 p.m. daily.
Information from the Fife Herald
fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1020&ArticleID=2229646
Laing Museum info:
fife.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&FacId=07D6F0EA-CC4B-11D5-909E0008C7844101
Criminal proceedings against Leslie man Michael Kelly, who found a neolithic axe head and initially refused to give it up, have been dropped.
Mr Kelly discovered the 6000-year-old axe head late last year while walking in the Lomond Hills. After having it verified by experts, Mr Kelly (45), a former stuntman, was adamant that he would keep hold of his find unless Fife Council paid him thousands of pounds to help fund a movie he wants to produce.
The local authority turned down his request and, as such ancient items belong to the Crown, the procurator fiscal service in Kirkcaldy wrote to inform him he would be prosecuted unless he handed the axe head over. Last month, however, Mr Kelly relented and voluntarily gave the piece to detectives when they called at his home.
Now the procurator fiscal has decided not to press charges against him. A relieved Mr Kelly said, “I am glad it’s all over and that I won’t have to go to court. I’m also disappointed I had to give up the axe head but I just didn’t want any more hassle.”
Fife Council archaeologist Douglas Speirs believes the Lomond Hills may possess similar treasures but does not recommend excavating its slopes. He cautioned, “I would strongly advise anyone to resist the temptation of actually digging into the ground to look for new finds.”
Tayside and Fife Courier
test.thecourier.co.uk/output/2004/04/23/newsstory5842720t0.asp
heritage.scotsman.com/cfm/heritagenews/headlines_specific.cfm?articleid=428762004
Warrior’s grave points to Druid site
THE discovery of the body of a warrior – thought to have died in battle more than 2,000 years ago – could help archaeologists to pinpoint the site of an ancient Druid holy site, experts said yesterday. The young warrior, aged about 30, with his spear, a sword, his belt and scabbard, stunned archaeologists who found his stone coffin.
The discovery on Marshill, Alloa, last year was hailed as one of the most significant Iron Age finds for decades in Scotland. A copper pin, which once fastened his uniform at the neck, remained, along with rings on two toes and six other rings unlike any found in Scotland before. He was gripping his sword. Experts now believe the hill may have been used for holy ceremonies and burials since the Bronze Age at least 1,500 years earlier.
An Alloa archaeologist, Susan Mills, who along with experts from Glasgow University discovered the grave, also found the skeleton of a Bronze Age woman buried in 2000BC just feet away. More than 20 cremation urns and a cist burial from the Bronze Age were also found there in 1828. A pair of gold bracelets, now on show at the National Museum of Scotland, highlight the importance of those buried in the cemetery, which she believes would once have been marked by a huge cairn.
Mrs Mills said: “It is not just chance that this warrior was buried in such close proximity to the Bronze Age burial ground. What is unique is that this site seems to span more than 1,500 years, and those within it seem to have had considerable wealth. The warrior’s possessions, and the care given to his burial, suggest he was in the upper echelons of his group. Such richly furnished graves are very rare in Scotland. It suggests that this area was regarded as a special, sacred holy ground for more than a millennium. Marshill would have been an ideal location for the pagan communities to site such a significant burial ground, on high land. It is very likely there would have been a cairn so that it could be seen from miles around.”
She said that although the warrior was in Alloa around the time of the Romans’ occupation of the country, he was most likely from Scotland. She said: “The warrior burial is remarkable. Rings from his belt and scabbard have never been found before, so he may have been quite exotic. His specially-made sword blade is 2ft long – much longer than the nearest equivalent found near Falkirk. Although we are not sure exactly how or where he died, his burial site must have been a special place.”
The theory is revealed in the forthcoming edition of Current Archaeology magazine.
GEORGE MAIR
Friday, 16th April 2004
The Scotsman
Archaeologists were left red-faced when an excavation site they believed was a Norse settlement of “national significance” was actually a sunken patio. Experts rushed to the site when amateur archaeologists unearthed a meshwork of massive stones while exploring the ground in their garden.
Officials from Fife Council suspected the slabs had been ferried from a nearby beach about 1000 years ago to the homes of Viking settlers. The archaeologists hoped the tiny back garden in Buckhaven would provide the first evidence of Viking homes built on mainland Scotland. The team sealed off the area but after several days of painstaking excavation, they found the massive rocks were simply part of a sunken patio built in the 1940s.
Chief archaeologist Douglas Speirs, 34, admitted his team had been made to look “very stupid”. He said: “We looked at the slabs and guessed they could’ve been part of a Viking settlement considering the area has strong links to Norse culture. It had all the hallmarks of ancient building techniques with the types of stones used and the layout. After all our efforts, you can imagine how silly we felt in the end.”
thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=776042003
Joy over double Stone Age find in Fife
TWO hugely significant Neolithic finds have been made in Fife within weeks of each other, thanks to sharp-eyed amateur archeologists. Historic Scotland has confirmed that intricate markings on boulders on the Binn Hill, a volcanic plug above Burntisland, are neolithic cup and ring marks which may be 4,000 years old. In a separate find, an outstanding example of a ceremonial Neolithic axe, which may have belonged to a leader or a priest, has been unearthed in a newly ploughed field at Mid-Conlan, just below East Lomond Hill.
Amateur archeologists Colin Kilgour and Jock Moyes contacted Historic Scotland after seeing photographs of Neolithic carvings in an exhibition and recognising the designs they had seen as children playing on the Binn Hill. “It was then we realised we had seen these markings before,” explained Mr Kilgour. “When we were kids we used to play on the Binn Hill, and I remembered finding patterns just like that when we were building a gang hut. We went back and, sure enough, the carvings were still there. We knew what the markings were, but had never imagined they would be so important.” Historic Scotland is now considering the best way to protect the neolithic cup and ring marks on Binn Hill.
Fife Council archaeologist Douglas Speirs said: “It’s fantastic – truly amazing. The carvings are what is called a cup and ring design on a large boulder, with a spiral carved out on a nearby rockface. They are about 4,000 years old – which means they were already about 3,000 years old when the famous carvings were made in the Wemyss Caves. We know of examples of this style mainly from Perthshire and Argyll, and even there they are rare, so to find one here in Fife is hugely important. The fact that one of the cup and ring marks has not been completed gives us confirmation of the method used to carve them.”
Cup and ring marks are found throughout Scotland and date from about 2000 to 3000 BC, making them up to 5,000 years old. But only six known examples have been discovered in Fife, and one of those, in a cave at West Wemyss, was lost in a rockfall in 1902. Common to all cup and ring carvings is a central scoop, or “cup” surrounded by spiral incisions and often surrounded by other curvilinear decorative designs. Archeologists are unclear about the significance of the recurring patterns, with theories that they were used for making offerings of milk or blood or that they are artistic representations of elemental forces. Despite the mystery which surrounds their creation, experts agree the find in Burntisland is of national historic significance. Councillor William Leggatt has pushed for the site to be both recognised and protected since the discovery came to light. “There’s a lot more in Fife and I’m quite sure there is a lot more to find on the Binn Hill itself, because it has been an important site through the ages,” he said.
The actor and poet Michael Kelly, who has appeared in films with Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson, made a similarly momentous discovery when he noticed something glinting at his feet in a freshly ploughed field, while scouting for film locations. The polished axe head, which may be 5,000 years old, is a very rare example of a ceremonial axe. The craftsmanship that has gone into its production means it could have been used or owned by an important individual or by a religious figure for ceremonial or ritual purposes. The stone itself is probably not native to the area and appears to have been imported from another region, possibly as far away as Cumbria, probably already as a finished tool.
Such long-distance trade in fine exotic axes is well recorded in the Neolithic period and there were various centres that produced axes that supplied large geographical areas. Mr Kelly discovered the axe head in April, but it wasn’t until he showed it to a friend that he began to realise its true significance. He has so far resisted requests to hand over the small axe head, saying he intends to resist the law of treasure trove, which means artefacts of a certain age have to be handed over to the Crown. He said: “It really is something to hold in your hand, and think about what has happened. I found it two miles from my house and it makes you think about people working and living in your own wee town all those years ago.” He added: “I am aware of the laws. But I want to make my film and I think if Fife Council want to put this in their museum or their library they should put up some money. I have been told I will be given about £300 or £400 for it but I think it is worth at least £5,000. If they don’t manage to come up with that I might just lose it.”
Mr Speirs has had an exciting few weeks, having been privy to two hugely significant Neolithic discoveries on his patch. Of the axe-head, he said: “This is exciting, a rare and remarkable find, and an outstanding example of a mid-neolithic ceremonial piece.”
17 July 2003
fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1015&ArticleID=557553
ANCIENT stone carvings found on Burntisland’s Binn Hill have excited major interest among archaeologists.
As a result they look likely to be designated a scheduled ancient monument, given the same status as national treasures such as Edinburgh Castle. And local enthusiasts hope it could prompt a fresh archaeological survey of the whole area, believing more discoveries could be waiting. The object of such excitement is a set of rock carvings thought to be about 4000 years old and of a design rare in Scotland and almost unique in Fife.
Fife Council Archaeologist Douglas Speirs enthused: “It’s fantastic – truly amazing. The carvings are what is called a cup and ring design on a large boulder, with a spiral carved out on a nearby rockface. They are about 4000 years old – which means they were already about 3000 years old when the famous carvings were made in the Wemyss Caves. We know of examples of this style mainly from Perthshire and Argyll, and even there they are rare, so to find one here in Fife is hugely important. The fact that one of the cup and ring marks has not been completed gives us confirmation of the method used to carve them.”
The find has also excited Historic Scotland, which is set to declare the site a scheduled ancient monument, giving it the maximum legal protection from development or other damage. Councillor William Leggatt has pushed for the site to be both recognised and protected since the discovery came to light. “There’s a lot more in Fife and I’m quite sure there is a lot more to find on the Binn Hill itself, because it has been an important site through the ages,” he said.
The discovery was a tale in itself. Local men Colin Kilgour and Jock Moyes, who shared an interest in archaeology, came across a picture of cup and ring-marked stones at an exhibition. “It was then we realised we had seen these markings before,” explained Colin. “When we were kids we used to play on the Binn Hill, and I remembered finding patterns just like that when we were building a gang hut. We went back and, sure enough, the carvings were still there. We knew what the markings were, but had never imagined they would be so important.’‘
10 July 2003
Scottish Herald – Shan Ross
Builders who were on the brink of using a JCB digger to lay the foundations of a new housing estate have unearthed what may be the richest archaeological find in Scotland. It includes the well-preserved skeleton, sword and valuable adornments of an Iron Age warrior buried with full honours. Experts who announced the discovery of the site at Alloa, Clackmannanshire last night described the grave as one of the most “valuable and exciting” to have been found on these shores.
It is believed that only around 100 such ceremonial Iron Age burials took place in Scotland over 1000 years and, of those, only four had weapons lying alongside the skeleton. Ancient communities disposed of their dead in different ways and the majority of corpses in Iron Age Scotland were put in rivers, left on exposed platforms, or put up trees.
Building work was first halted last Tuesday when workmen uncovered a Bronze Age grave containing the skeleton of a woman along with an ornate food vessel and copper alloy items dating back to between 2500 and 1500BC. However, two days later, the digger uncovered the more important grave.
The Iron Age warrior whose head had been placed on a stone pillow is likely to have been a chief ruling the surrounding kingdom, and appeared to have been aged between 25 and 35 when he died around 200BC to 200AD. His sword had been placed in his hand and surrounding him were valuable toe rings, an ornate copper pin and glass beads. The artefacts indicate that he was a high-ranking powerful individual who would have been able to display great wealth. Archaeological staff, who believe there may be more graves in the vicinity, immediately secured the site to deter vandals.
Ian Ralston, professor of archaeology at Edinburgh University, said that a great deal was already known about the Iron Age in Scotland in terms of hill forts and brochs, but that rituals pertaining to death were still largely undiscovered.
“We can trace Iron Age life in the north-west, the Western Isles and Lowlands, but we still know very little about how they treated their dead.” he said. “It is quite amazing to think that this skeleton has turned up by chance, but it replicates a pattern whereby builders can be the ones who make these fantastic finds.” Professor Ralston added that such graves were often discovered by farmers ploughing their fields.
Susan Mills, museum and heritage officer for Clackmannanshire Council, said the find was less than 50yds away from a Bronze Age cemetery discovered in 1828. “The later burials of the Iron Age may have been based on some sort of folk memory of the site being used as a burial place. It could have still been regarded as a special place for those who lived in the area,” she said. “I also think the graves have been so well preserved because they were protected for years by nursery greenhouses which were demolished in the 1970s.”
Paul Duffy, human remains and forensics expert from the archaeology department at Glasgow University, said the site was the greatest find he was likely to come across in his lifetime. He said: “I’ve worked on many sites throughout my 12 years in the field but these, particularly the Iron Age grave, far outweigh anything I’ve ever seen.”
The skeletons have been taken to Glasgow University for forensic examination, while the precious artefacts found with them have been sent to a specialist firm in Edinburgh.
George Tainsh, director of the £1.5m Ochilview housing development, which plans to build 30 houses on the site, said his company would cooperate fully with archaeological experts to safeguard the graves.
A spokesman for Historic Scotland said: “It is a very significant discovery for our understanding, particularly of Iron Age warriors and warfare and the period immediately preceding the Romans.”
