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Archaeologists uncover Pictish seat of power

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Eben Slater
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« on: November 19, 2011, 03:08:09 pm »

Archaeologists uncover Pictish seat of power



The Craw Stane, with Tap O’ Noth hillfort on the left horizon. Image: University of Aberdeen

An excavation has revealed a fortified early medieval settlement and unearthed significant artefacts suggesting this site near a tiny Scottish village was a seat of major political power and influence.

Late Roman pottery found during archaeological excavation at the site of a collection of eight symbol stones in Rhynie, has provided fresh information on the Picts.



The Craw Stane with possible structures that may represent one or more buildings under excavation in the foreground (scale 2m). Image: University of Aberdeen

Earlier this year Dr Gordon Noble, from the University of Aberdeen, and Dr Meggen Gondek, from the University of Chester, led the Rhynie Environs Archaeological Project (REAP) in an excavation at the site where carved stones have been found south of the village.



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Eben Slater
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« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2011, 03:10:31 pm »

Powerful Picts

Between AD400-900 it is understood that the kingdoms of the Picts became some of the most powerful political groups in the north of Britain, but there is very little documented history and archaeological record about these people.

The symbol stones that the Picts left behind are acknowledged to provide a record of their identity, beliefs and lifestyle, although the elaborate carvings on the Rhynie stones have not been translated. In fact, very little direct work has been carried out in relation to the Rhynie stones, until now.

The REAP team’s excavation near the symbol stones – discovered between the 19th century and the 1970s – is one of the first large scale digs at this kind of site.



Student Robert Lang with spindle whorl from the possible building site near the Craw Stane. Image: University of Aberdeen



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Eben Slater
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« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2011, 03:11:57 pm »

Extraordinary discoveries

During their excavation the team made some extraordinary discoveries, uncovering burnt material, stone, pottery, metalwork, glass and animal bone within a very substantial system of fortifications at the site.

Dr Gondek said: “Some of the material culture we uncovered is exceptional. This is one of the most significant finds of early medieval imported goods in the north of Britain.

“The most remarkable were large fragments of a Roman amphora which was originally from the Eastern Mediterranean. This pottery was most likely to be used for transporting or storing wine, or possibly oil.”



Bronze pin. Image: University of Aberdeen
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Eben Slater
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« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2011, 03:13:05 pm »

High status site

Many of the finds at Rhynie, such as the small sherd of glass, which has been identified as a drinking bowl from the 6th or 7th-century AD, or the bronze pins and two amber beads, suggest it was a place of high status.

Dr Noble said: “This type of find is exceptionally rare in Britain, and is practically unheard of as far north as this. The type of artefacts we uncovered in Rhynie have only been found in more kingly centres such as Tintangel in Cornwall and Cadbury Castle in Somerset. The nearest site of similar importance in Scotland is Dumbarton Rock, an early royal site of the Britons of western Scotland, which is almost 200 miles away.

“This means that what we thought was a backwater in this part of Britain may well be much more significant and that Rhynie can take its place as an important force in the power politics of early medieval Scotland.”



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Eben Slater
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« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2011, 03:14:02 pm »



Fragment from an imported continental glass drinking bowl. Image: University of Aberdeen


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Eben Slater
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« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2011, 03:15:33 pm »

Early power centre

Equally remarkable is the context of the finds, for they were found within the remains of what would have been an elaborate system of defensive enclosures including two deep ditches and a massive timber palisade and remains of further wooden structures including evidence for buildings. Very little is known about the early power centres of the Picts and Rhynie provides an exciting opportunity to find out more about how power was consolidated when the first kingdoms of Scotland were emerging.


Amber beads. Image: University of Aberdeen

Dr Noble believes that the finds will affect how we understand the trade networks and political relationships during this period. The imported pottery is highly significant as it suggests Rhynie has political trading links with the kingdoms of the west.

He added: “This sheds new light on a thorny issue because we have so little historical documentation about the Picts. We don’t know how they existed or why they disappeared. We have snippets of stories from the early medieval writers through which that we learn that they’re politically active. But with this excavation we are getting the real physical evidence of who they were as a people – we just have to keep digging to find out more.”

Source: Press release issued by the University of Aberdeen
More information:

Rhynie Environs Archaeological Project (REAP): http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/archaeology/research/projects/reap/

The Rhynie stones

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/11/2011/archaeologists-uncover-pictish-seat-of-power
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