The remains of an
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three-age division of the prehistory and protohistory of humanity. It was preceded by the Stone Age ( Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and the Bronze Age ( Chalcolithic). The concept has been mostl ...
chariot burial were found near the
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a historic period, lasting approximately from 3300 BC to 1200 BC, characterized by the use of bronze, the presence of writing in some areas, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second prin ...
burial mound at Huly Hill,
Newbridge in Scotland, 14 km west of
Edinburgh
Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian on the southern shore of t ...
city centre, in advance of development at the Edinburgh Interchange. The chariot was the first of its kind to be found in Scotland and shows Iron Age Scotland in direct contact with the European Continent. The Newbridge chariot was buried intact, a method consistent with the burial practices of Continental Europe rather than Scotland.
Excavation
The excavation of the Newbridge chariot burial was carried out by a team from
Headland Archaeology and conservators from the
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland, was formed in 2006 with the merger of the new Museum of Scotland, with collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history, and the adjacent Royal Scottish Museum (opened in ...
. The excavation revealed that the pit would have been little larger than the chariot. It was dug to the depth of the axle then two smaller pits were cut into its base to receive the wheels. A narrower slot accommodated the chariot pole but broadened at the end for the yoke. From the outset it was clear that the iron tyres and other metal fittings around each wheel were well-preserved and it was decided to lift each wheel in a block of soil, allowing specialist excavation and conservation under laboratory conditions.
Unfortunately, the poor preservation conditions meant that all traces of a human body had disappeared but given the strong parallels of inhumations accompanying chariot burials there is no reason to doubt the former presence of a body in the pit. The burial may have been part of a larger prehistoric cemetery and enclosure, which surrounded it.
The only other area of Britain where chariot burials have been found is of the
Arras culture
The Arras culture is an archaeological culture of the Middle Iron Age in East Yorkshire, England. It takes its name from the cemetery site of Arras, at Arras Farm, near Market Weighton, which was discovered in the 19th century. The site spans t ...
in East Yorkshire,
[Stead, I.M. 1979. ''The Arras Culture''. York: Yorkshire Philosophical Society.] in which most of the chariots were dismantled before burial. The Newbridge example was buried intact in a similar manner to burials in mainland Europe. Chariot construction techniques indicate links with the building traditions of both Yorkshire and Continental Europe. A 5th century BC date for the Newbridge chariot burial places it within the context of
La Tene A, consistent with its similarities to European examples and predating known Yorkshire examples.
Apart from the wheels and harness fittings there were few other finds. Some horse gear was recovered near the yoke of the chariot.
See also
*
Chariot burial
*
Arras culture
The Arras culture is an archaeological culture of the Middle Iron Age in East Yorkshire, England. It takes its name from the cemetery site of Arras, at Arras Farm, near Market Weighton, which was discovered in the 19th century. The site spans t ...
*
British Iron Age
References
External links
*BBC new
*British Archaeology 7
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5th-century BC works
Archaeology of Scotland
Archaeological sites in Edinburgh
Iron Age sites in Scotland
Chariot burials