Archaeologists excavating an ancient churchyard in Glasgow have uncovered evidence of an early medieval jewellery workshop, including an unfinished finger ring carved from shale. The discovery offers new insights into craft production and elite fashion at one of the most important centres of the medieval Kingdom of Strathclyde.
Archaeologists and community volunteers working at Govan Old Churchyard in Glasgow have discovered evidence that jewellery was being produced at the site during the early Middle Ages.
Among the finds is an unfinished shale finger ring, known as a roughout, which was abandoned before the manufacturing process was completed. Archaeologists believe the object provides evidence that rings were being carved from shale at Govan, rather than simply being brought to the site as finished pieces.
Similar pieces of jewellery were discovered during excavations in the 1990s. Together with the latest finds, they suggest that shale finger rings were popular among the high-status inhabitants associated with Govan Old. The dark shale may have been used to imitate jet, a rarer and more expensive material.
The evidence for jewellery production also adds to archaeologists’ understanding of craft and industrial activity taking place within Govan’s early medieval ecclesiastical complex. The site had developed into a Christian centre by around AD 500, making its origins earlier than the monastery established on Iona.
A royal and religious centre
Govan Heritage Trust volunteers take part in the excavations in Trench G at Govan Old’s ancient churchyard. Photo courtesy Govan Heritage Trust
Govan was an important centre of the Clyde Britons, whose kingdom was originally known as Alt Clut and later became the Kingdom of Strathclyde. Archaeological evidence suggests that Govan Old served as their principal ecclesiastical centre from the early sixth century. Burials discovered beside the present church during excavations in the 1990s have been scientifically dated to this period.
The Clyde Britons initially had their political centre at Dumbarton Rock, known in their Northern Brittonic language as Alt Clut, meaning “Rock of the Clyde.” Viking forces captured the stronghold in AD 870 following a four-month siege. Afterwards, the royal family appears to have moved to Partick, directly across the River Clyde from the already established religious centre at Govan.
Evidence of high-status jewellery production fits with Govan’s wider archaeological record. The site is particularly famous for the Govan Stones, one of Britain’s largest collections of early medieval carved stone sculpture. Researchers believe the growing collection of evidence for craft production strengthens the interpretation of Govan as a wealthy, royally sponsored church centre.
Professor Steve Driscoll of Govan Heritage Trust standing next to the excavations at Trench G. Photo courtesy Govan Heritage Trust
Professor Stephen Driscoll of Govan Heritage Trust, who is leading the excavation, said:
“Exploring Govan’s exceptional archaeology over the past 30 years has been a great privilege, but the most rewarding part of it has been working with the many volunteers, students and colleagues whose energy, enthusiasm and friendship drive the project.”
Excavating Govan Old
Shale ring roughout with a block of shale material also found during the 2026 excavations. Photo courtesy Govan Heritage Trust
The current excavation forms part of Dig Where You Stand, a community archaeology project launched in 2023 to investigate the archaeological remains associated with the Govan Stones. The project is led by Govan Heritage Trust, with the current excavations undertaken by volunteers and Clyde Archaeology.
Work began in 2023, the same year that another important early medieval carving, known as the Govan Warrior, came to light. Archaeologists have been concentrating on the southeastern part of the churchyard, reopening test trenches first investigated in 1996 for the television programme Time Team.
Those earlier excavations revealed fragments of a roughly 1,300-year-old roadway thought to have connected the churchyard with Doomster Hill, an important meeting and ceremonial site that once stood near Govan Cross.
The excavations are also taking place close to the location where the Govan Sarcophagus was discovered in 1855. Although the elaborately carved stone coffin survives and is displayed inside Govan Old, its lid has never been found and may still be buried somewhere in the churchyard.
The 2026 excavation continues until 20 September. To mark the end of this year’s work, the Govan Stones Museum will host a free Viking-Age Festival on 19 and 20 September, featuring traditional craftspeople, arms experts and artisans portraying life in the 10th-century Kingdom of Strathclyde.
Archaeologists excavating an ancient churchyard in Glasgow have uncovered evidence of an early medieval jewellery workshop, including an unfinished finger ring carved from shale. The discovery offers new insights into craft production and elite fashion at one of the most important centres of the medieval Kingdom of Strathclyde.
Archaeologists and community volunteers working at Govan Old Churchyard in Glasgow have discovered evidence that jewellery was being produced at the site during the early Middle Ages.
Among the finds is an unfinished shale finger ring, known as a roughout, which was abandoned before the manufacturing process was completed. Archaeologists believe the object provides evidence that rings were being carved from shale at Govan, rather than simply being brought to the site as finished pieces.
Similar pieces of jewellery were discovered during excavations in the 1990s. Together with the latest finds, they suggest that shale finger rings were popular among the high-status inhabitants associated with Govan Old. The dark shale may have been used to imitate jet, a rarer and more expensive material.
The evidence for jewellery production also adds to archaeologists’ understanding of craft and industrial activity taking place within Govan’s early medieval ecclesiastical complex. The site had developed into a Christian centre by around AD 500, making its origins earlier than the monastery established on Iona.
A royal and religious centre
Govan was an important centre of the Clyde Britons, whose kingdom was originally known as Alt Clut and later became the Kingdom of Strathclyde. Archaeological evidence suggests that Govan Old served as their principal ecclesiastical centre from the early sixth century. Burials discovered beside the present church during excavations in the 1990s have been scientifically dated to this period.
The Clyde Britons initially had their political centre at Dumbarton Rock, known in their Northern Brittonic language as Alt Clut, meaning “Rock of the Clyde.” Viking forces captured the stronghold in AD 870 following a four-month siege. Afterwards, the royal family appears to have moved to Partick, directly across the River Clyde from the already established religious centre at Govan.
Evidence of high-status jewellery production fits with Govan’s wider archaeological record. The site is particularly famous for the Govan Stones, one of Britain’s largest collections of early medieval carved stone sculpture. Researchers believe the growing collection of evidence for craft production strengthens the interpretation of Govan as a wealthy, royally sponsored church centre.
Professor Stephen Driscoll of Govan Heritage Trust, who is leading the excavation, said:
“Exploring Govan’s exceptional archaeology over the past 30 years has been a great privilege, but the most rewarding part of it has been working with the many volunteers, students and colleagues whose energy, enthusiasm and friendship drive the project.”
Excavating Govan Old
The current excavation forms part of Dig Where You Stand, a community archaeology project launched in 2023 to investigate the archaeological remains associated with the Govan Stones. The project is led by Govan Heritage Trust, with the current excavations undertaken by volunteers and Clyde Archaeology.
Work began in 2023, the same year that another important early medieval carving, known as the Govan Warrior, came to light. Archaeologists have been concentrating on the southeastern part of the churchyard, reopening test trenches first investigated in 1996 for the television programme Time Team.
Those earlier excavations revealed fragments of a roughly 1,300-year-old roadway thought to have connected the churchyard with Doomster Hill, an important meeting and ceremonial site that once stood near Govan Cross.
The excavations are also taking place close to the location where the Govan Sarcophagus was discovered in 1855. Although the elaborately carved stone coffin survives and is displayed inside Govan Old, its lid has never been found and may still be buried somewhere in the churchyard.
The 2026 excavation continues until 20 September. To mark the end of this year’s work, the Govan Stones Museum will host a free Viking-Age Festival on 19 and 20 September, featuring traditional craftspeople, arms experts and artisans portraying life in the 10th-century Kingdom of Strathclyde.
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