Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


9

Ancient Royal Tomb Unearthed in Scotland

Share

(Newser) – A spectacular royal tomb chock full of the personal belongings of a Bronze Age ruler has been discovered in Scotland, reports the Independent. The 4,000-year-old tomb, marked with engravings, lies at the center of a giant circle of 200 timber obelisks in Forteviot, which served as a capital of an 8th-century Pictish Kingdom. The ancient leader of the new find rests on a bed of white quartz pebbles and birch bark with gold and bronze daggers.

Researchers called the discovery "unparalleled" in Britain. "The sheer size of the stone slabs used to construct the tomb, the extremely rare rock engraving, the rare preservation of the leather, wood, and bark items and the high status location make this a find of both national and international importance," said prehistorian Gordon Noble, who led the dig.

The village of Forteviot once served as a capital of the 8th century Pictish Kingdom in Scotland.
The village of Forteviot once served as a capital of the 8th century Pictish Kingdom in Scotland.   (©The Forbes Show)
This ancient Dupplin Cross was found in an area close to the Fonteviot dig, where archeologists have unearthed a spectacular royal tomb from Bronze Age Scotland.
This ancient Dupplin Cross was found in an area close to the Fonteviot dig, where archeologists have unearthed a spectacular royal tomb from Bronze Age Scotland.   (©The Forbes Show)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
9 comments
VIEWING:
 
youngblood
Aug 14, 09 5:22 AM CDT
When these guy and girls got buried they didn't intend to have you guys going in to bother them and rob their graves and why is it such an international importance to dig them up and take there property only because you guys say so. What would we think if in 2000 years people started to unearth JFK's grave, took his rings he was buried with and put him and his stuff on display in a museum ? Get my point?! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Aug 14, 09 7:30 AM CDT
in 2000 years (or 4000 in this case) it will be significant to that era's people to understand our time better. I have zero problems with any future society respectfully examining our leaders graves.
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
littleoopie
Aug 14, 09 9:15 AM CDT
If you look at the knowledge available about these people (the Picts) versus the amount that will be available in 2000 years about JFK there is a huge difference. We don't have to did up Caesar's grave to learn about him thanks to the books and knowledge that abounds (plus he was cremated), but the Picts? Not a lot of knowledge survives.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
schmidtkoff
Aug 14, 09 9:35 AM CDT
"get my point?" nope. and would you keep the treasures of the pyramids in egypt buried forever, or the mayan teasures buried, only to be plundered and ferreted off to homes of wealthy collectors?
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
shonangreg
Aug 14, 09 8:42 AM CDT
It is "Forteviot", newser rewriters, not "Fonteviot". Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 9 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 


World 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
Scotland • British royals • ruins • neolithic period • Bronze Age • archeologist

from our news partners