A ‘remarkable’ Pictish ring, featuring an intricate setting and believed from the Early Middle Ages, has been discovered in northern Scotland.
The kite-shaped ring, with a centre of garnet or red glass, was found at Burghead Fort by a volunteer during an excavation led by the University of Aberdeen. The discovery comes as a surprise, given the widespread belief that the 19th-century construction of the town of Burghead had destroyed much of the site’s historical value.
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Though the site has always been recognised as Pictish in origin, it was assumed that any significant artefacts had been lost when the fort’s stones were repurposed for building during the town’s construction in the 1800s. Among the families who relocated to the new town to support its fishing industry were the ancestors of John Ralph – a former engineer and University of Aberdeen graduate.
Upon retiring, John responded to a social media post by Professor Gordon Noble, the University’s Professor of Archaeology, who was seeking volunteers for the Burghead digs. For the past three years, Professor Noble has led the excavation work at Burghead Fort, funded by Historic Environment Scotland. The team’s efforts have not only uncovered important artefacts but have also led to the creation of 3D reconstructions that depict how the fort might have appeared in its prime.
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A Surprising Find
John, who describes himself as an “enthusiastic amateur,” had participated in three separate digs at Burghead, with each two-week excavation proving to be an adventure in itself. However, his initial excitement was often tempered by a knack for unearthing what the experts jokingly called ‘shiny pebbles.’
So, on the final day of the last dig, when John uncovered something unusual, he didn’t think much of it at first. But when he showed the object to a fellow volunteer, he realised this time he may have found something significant.
Photo courtesy University of Aberdeen
Professor Noble was quick to confirm it: “John came over and said, ‘look what I’ve found.’ What he handed over was incredible. Even before conservation, we could see flashes of the garnet setting. After over a thousand years in the ground, it was truly remarkable.”
The find was especially surprising, as Pictish rings are rare, and most known examples have been discovered in hoards, deliberately buried for safekeeping. “We certainly didn’t expect to find a ring like this simply lying on the floor of what appeared to be a low-priority area,” Professor Noble remarked.
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Unlocking Burghead’s Secrets
The ring is now undergoing analysis at the National Museum of Scotland’s Post-excavation Service. For John, who grew up in Burghead, contributing to the understanding of the region’s Pictish history has been a deeply rewarding experience.
“It’s an incredible feeling to dig up an artefact, knowing you’re likely the first person to see it in over 1,000 years,” John reflected. “It makes you wonder: Who owned it? What did they use it for? And how did it come to be lost?”
Professor Noble and his team will explore these questions further by studying the ring, alongside other finds from the dig, to determine whether the piece of jewellery was crafted on-site and who it may have been intended for. “We have evidence of metalworking and an increasing number of buildings uncovered at the site. This latest discovery adds to the growing picture that Burghead was a significant centre of power in the Pictish period,” he added.
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Photo courtesy University of Aberdeen
Susan O’Connor, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, echoed the significance of the discovery: “Scotland’s rich history never fails to surprise us. We’re proud to have supported the University of Aberdeen’s work at Burghead, and it’s wonderful to see a volunteer like John Ralph play such a pivotal role in uncovering this piece of our past.
“While the materials themselves may not hold much modern monetary value, this ring provides an invaluable glimpse into Pictish society and life. We look forward to learning more from the ongoing analysis at the National Museum.”
A ‘remarkable’ Pictish ring, featuring an intricate setting and believed from the Early Middle Ages, has been discovered in northern Scotland.
The kite-shaped ring, with a centre of garnet or red glass, was found at Burghead Fort by a volunteer during an excavation led by the University of Aberdeen. The discovery comes as a surprise, given the widespread belief that the 19th-century construction of the town of Burghead had destroyed much of the site’s historical value.
Though the site has always been recognised as Pictish in origin, it was assumed that any significant artefacts had been lost when the fort’s stones were repurposed for building during the town’s construction in the 1800s. Among the families who relocated to the new town to support its fishing industry were the ancestors of John Ralph – a former engineer and University of Aberdeen graduate.
Upon retiring, John responded to a social media post by Professor Gordon Noble, the University’s Professor of Archaeology, who was seeking volunteers for the Burghead digs. For the past three years, Professor Noble has led the excavation work at Burghead Fort, funded by Historic Environment Scotland. The team’s efforts have not only uncovered important artefacts but have also led to the creation of 3D reconstructions that depict how the fort might have appeared in its prime.
A Surprising Find
John, who describes himself as an “enthusiastic amateur,” had participated in three separate digs at Burghead, with each two-week excavation proving to be an adventure in itself. However, his initial excitement was often tempered by a knack for unearthing what the experts jokingly called ‘shiny pebbles.’
So, on the final day of the last dig, when John uncovered something unusual, he didn’t think much of it at first. But when he showed the object to a fellow volunteer, he realised this time he may have found something significant.
Professor Noble was quick to confirm it: “John came over and said, ‘look what I’ve found.’ What he handed over was incredible. Even before conservation, we could see flashes of the garnet setting. After over a thousand years in the ground, it was truly remarkable.”
The find was especially surprising, as Pictish rings are rare, and most known examples have been discovered in hoards, deliberately buried for safekeeping. “We certainly didn’t expect to find a ring like this simply lying on the floor of what appeared to be a low-priority area,” Professor Noble remarked.
Unlocking Burghead’s Secrets
The ring is now undergoing analysis at the National Museum of Scotland’s Post-excavation Service. For John, who grew up in Burghead, contributing to the understanding of the region’s Pictish history has been a deeply rewarding experience.
“It’s an incredible feeling to dig up an artefact, knowing you’re likely the first person to see it in over 1,000 years,” John reflected. “It makes you wonder: Who owned it? What did they use it for? And how did it come to be lost?”
Professor Noble and his team will explore these questions further by studying the ring, alongside other finds from the dig, to determine whether the piece of jewellery was crafted on-site and who it may have been intended for. “We have evidence of metalworking and an increasing number of buildings uncovered at the site. This latest discovery adds to the growing picture that Burghead was a significant centre of power in the Pictish period,” he added.
Susan O’Connor, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, echoed the significance of the discovery: “Scotland’s rich history never fails to surprise us. We’re proud to have supported the University of Aberdeen’s work at Burghead, and it’s wonderful to see a volunteer like John Ralph play such a pivotal role in uncovering this piece of our past.
“While the materials themselves may not hold much modern monetary value, this ring provides an invaluable glimpse into Pictish society and life. We look forward to learning more from the ongoing analysis at the National Museum.”
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