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Ancient Royal Tomb Unearthed in Scotland

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2009 4:42 AM CDT
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(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)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Observer
Aug 15, 2009 8:14 AM CDT
Bravo to the Highlanders!
Mad
Aug 14, 2009 12:30 PM 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.
youngblood
Aug 14, 2009 10:22 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?!

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

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