Treasured for Generations: Remarkable Bronze Age Finds Unearthed in Scotland

In Scotland, in Peebles, a small town located in the Scottish Borders, a Bronze Age treasure, which remained buried for 3000 years, has just been saved for the nation. Unearthed by Mariusz Stępień, a metal detecting enthusiast, this exceptional treasure includes more than 500 objects made of bronze and organic materials. Among them, unique artifacts, never seen in Scotland, shed light on exchanges between European communities of the time.

These objects were meticulously analyzed by a team of experts from National Museums Scotland (NMS) and the µ-VIS X-ray Imaging Center at the University of Southampton, using innovative techniques. The complexity and importance of this discovery require conservation efforts today to protect and study these unique pieces, essential to the understanding of Bronze Age civilizations in Europe.

A historical treasure buried for 3000 years

Remaining buried for almost 3000 years, the Peebles treasure is a veritable chest of rare coins from the Bronze Age. Its discovery immediately captivated archaeologists because of its exceptional state of preservation and the variety of objects found. Among these pieces, a sword still in its wooden sheath particularly attracted attention. This rarity, accompanied by bronze buttons mounted on cords and complex decorations whose function remains undetermined, testifies to the technical know-how of the period.

Additionally, ratchet pendants, first found in Scotland but common in Scandinavia and central Europe, illustrate the cultural and commercial exchanges that already took place within Bronze Age communities. These pendants are created from intertwined bronze rings and pendant plates that would have been suspended from a wooden horse or vehicle. They clicked when they moved.

© NMS

For Matthew Knight, chief curator at National Museums Scotland (NMS), this treasure represents a unique discovery. According to him, it could revolutionize our understanding of the daily life of the populations of that era. While providing new insights into trade relations between Scotland and other European regions. “ This treasure is a key to understanding how these societies, seemingly isolated, were in fact connected by complex networks of exchanges. », he explains to the BBC.

A careful and innovative recovery

As soon as the discovery of the Peebles Hoard was reported to the Treasure Trove Unit, a team of experts from National Museums Scotland (NMS) and the University of Southampton were mobilized to organize a careful extraction. Rather than removing the objects one by one, the archaeologists decided to remove the entire treasure in a single block of earth. This approach made it possible to preserve the integrity of the archaeological context. This is essential for understanding the arrangement and relationships between objects. Once this block was secure, the experts transported it to the laboratory.

Rather than digging manually, researchers opted for non-invasive imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT scan), to map the position of objects in the ground and obtain crucial details without damaging them. This approach has uncovered previously inaccessible information, including the presence of organic materials and advanced craft techniques, such as the use of lost wax.

This is a manufacturing method rarely documented at the time in Scotland. It consists of creating a wax model of an object, then covered with a clay mold. Then we melt the wax to evacuate it. It then leaves an empty space where the molten metal is poured to form the object. This innovation shows a level of sophistication unexpected among Bronze Age artisans.

A major analysis of this unique treasure

Professor Ian Sinclair, founder of the µ-VIS center, specifies: “ Scanning this block represented a major technical challenge, but we were happy to take on the challenge. “. Indeed, the imposing size of the block required some technical adjustments. Nevertheless, this allowed the objects to be preserved in their original condition while providing detailed information on their arrangement and manufacture.

© University of Southampton

The project also showed the complexity of the interactions between different materials, such as bronze, wood and leather, used in ornaments and tools from this period. This multidisciplinary collaboration between archaeologists and engineers has greatly enriched the understanding of this exceptional discovery. Thanks to these combined efforts, not only did the treasure remain intact, but it also revealed age-old secrets about the production methods and cultural exchanges of the time.

A call for conservation and research

The discovery of the Peebles Hoard has unearthed priceless artifacts, but their preservation now represents a major challenge. Among the 500 objects found, many are made of extremely fragile organic materials, such as wood and leather. But they have survived in exceptional conditions for millennia. However, once exposed to the open air, these materials can quickly deteriorate.

Without rapid conservation intervention, objects risk losing their structure and meaning. To respond to this emergency, National Museums Scotland (NMS) has launched a fundraising campaign. This effort aims to mobilize the resources necessary to preserve these treasures under controlled conditions and continue scientific research that will provide a better understanding of their historical significance.

© National Museums Scotland

Beyond simple preservation, this campaign paves the way for further research into Bronze Age Scotland's international connections. The Peebles Treasure offers a unique window into the trade and cultural networks that united different European communities 3,000 years ago. Researchers hope to trace the trade flows that crossed the North Sea.

They were to connect Scotland with the areas now known as Denmark, Germany and Poland. This conservation and research work does not only concern the preservation of objects. It seeks to understand the way in which these ancient societies interacted, exchanged technologies and goods, and shaped their cultural identities. The treasure could thus offer new answers on little-known aspects of the history of Scotland and Europe in the Bronze Age.