A laser scan image of the carved Pictish symbols.
Photo: DGNHAS / CDDV
"The household's wealth relied on their control of farming, animal husbandry and the management of local natural resources — minerals and timber — from an estate probably spanning the wider landscape of the Fleet valley and estuary," Christopher Bowles, Scottish borders council archaeologist, said.
"Control was maintained by bonding the people of this land and the districts beyond to the royal household, by gifts, promises of protection and the bounties of raiding and warfare," he added.
Analysis of the Pictish stone carvings revealed the symbols cannot be deciphered.
"The literal meaning of the symbols at Trusty's Hill will probably never be known. There is no Pictish Rosetta Stone," Toolis said.
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The kingdom of Rheged was deliberately destroyed in the early seventh century AD.
The site suffered such a sustained burning that the timber-laced stone rampart was melted and fused together. Researchers estimate that flames raged there for weeks or even months.
"The deliberate and spectacular destruction of Trusty's Hills is a visceral reminder that the demise of this kingdom in the early seventh century AD came with sword and flame," the researchers said.
Top image: Reconstruction of the royal stronghold as it may have appeared. Credit: DGNHAS / GUARD Archaeology Ltd
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