Archaeology

The Odyssey : Scenes for the summer blockbuster were shot in Scotland, with Christopher Nolan selecting a clifftop castle ruin to transform into a key setting for the epic story. PIC Universal Studios/Melinda Sue Gordon. All

The Odyssey: How Scots castle ruin became hideaway of Greek sorceress

A researcher from Historic Environment Scotland explores the ground underneath Machrie Moor stone cirle on the Isle of Arran

Previously unknown ancient site found under stone circle on island

New research has revealed how a woman who lived with a lifelong physical impairment more than 1,500 years ago was supported, valued and buried with honour in early medieval Scotland

1,500‑year‑old woman challenges modern assumptions about disability

The brooch will go on show for the first time in the exhibition Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire which opens at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh in November.

'Exquisite' Roman brooch found by metal detectorist set to go on show

Illicit whisky still site in Ben Lawers NNR from above

'Rare' find in Highland bothy reveals secrets of its past

The National Trust of Scotland's Derek Alexander with the newly discovered mortar shell. Picture: NTS

'Remarkable' discovery of unexploded shell at Culloden Battlefield

The burial site for 63 coffins at Kinderlê in the Northern Cape of South Africa. PIC: Department for Sports, Arts and Culture, South Africa

'Weight of history' as museum buries stolen human remains in S. Africa

A digital reconstruction of the altar reveals the vibrant colours used by Roman artists. Picture: Dr Louisa Campbell

Groundbreaking research sheds new light on 'majestic' Roman monument

An aerial site of the site of the footprints at Lunan Bay beach in Angus

2,000-year-old footprints discovered on beach after storms

Curator Dr Fraser Hunter examines the Roman altars. Picture: Duncan McGlynn

'Extraordinary' altars from Roman temple in Scotland to go on show

An aerial view of the Erskine family castle foundations uncovered at the House of Dun. Picture: NTS

Treasure trove of new archaeological finds made on NTS land

Dr Jess Thompson

The woman caring for the remains of Scotland's ancient people

New research suggests that crannogs in the Outer Hebrides, including Eilean Dòmhnuill on Loch Olabhat, North Uist, may have been hubs where people gathered and practiced
unique culinary trends over 5,000 years ago. PIC: Richard Law.

Top 5 archaeological finds in Scotland 2025, including feasting island

The Ness of Brodgar on mainland Orkney is one of Britain's most important Neolithic sites

'Extraordinary' archaeological find on Orkney. But what could it be? Scotsman comment

The Ness of Brodgar on mainland Orkney, one of Britain's most important Neolithic sites. A new "extraordinary discovery" could rewrite understanding of the complex, which thrummed with activity 5,000 years ago. Picture: Tom O' Brien

'Extraordinary discovery' made at immense prehistoric site in Orkney

The Govan Sarcophagus, a carved sandstone coffin from the late 9th or early 10th century, likely a reliquary for the relics of St. Constantine, a Pictish King killed by Vikings. The stone was at the centre of Govan's role as a spiritual centre for the Kingdom of Strathclyde. PIC: Contributed.

The kingdom ruled from Glasgow where Picts, Saints and Vikings mingled

Picts travelling Through the Wilderness in 'Carved in Stone', a book which illuminates life in Pictland like never before.

The 'best book on the Picts ever written' has arrived

St Giles Cathedral 12th Century burials excavated in 1981 by CEC Archaeology Service

First DNA evidence of Black Death in Edinburgh discovered on skeleton

Discovery of a piece of lead grape shot

Hundreds of Jacobite projectiles found in unexplored area of Culloden

The rattle pendant from the Peebles Hoard, now known to have been made in Bronze and enriched with tin to give a silvery surface. Picture: National Museums Scotland

The 'magical moment' a deep secret of the Peebles Hoard was revealed

A sherd of medieval pottery, which dates to the 13th to 14th Century, found below street level near Glasgow's Gallowgate. PIC: GUARD Archaeology.

Life in the suburbs 800 years ago as Glasgow’s medieval past unearthed

The fragment of stone carving found at East Lomond near Falkland, which archaeologists believe was an important site during the Pictish period. Picture: Aberdeen University.

Could this be the face of an ordinary Pict?

The Memorial Cairn at Culloden to those who fought and died in battle on April 16, 1746. A historian who devoted much of his research to the battle has left National Trust for Scotland more than £1m in his will. PIC: NTS.

Highly regarded historian leaves £1m to safeguard Culloden Battlefield

A 3D model of the broch replica created by historical reconstruction artist Bob Marshall

Replica of Iron Age broch to become 'must-see' tourist attraction

The sun rises behind the Calanais Standing Stones on the Isle Of Lewis.

How one couple became obsessed with 5,000-year-old standing stones

The Neolithic axehead found at Gravir, Isle of Lewis.

'Why I am taking an ancient axehead back to Hebrides after 40 years'

Kelvin Wheelies skatepark brought the spirit of California to Glasgow in the late 1970s.

Search for Scotland's first 'radical' skatepark lost in undergrowth

Stone tools were found in the north of Skye, in the area around Uig (pictured), and have been dated to around 11,000 to 11,500 years old. PIC: DavideGorla/Flickr/CC.

Scottish island reveals 11,000- year-old traces of earliest settlers

The Tomb of the Eagles at Isbister, South Ronaldsay , which is around 5,000-years-old, is to be bought by the island community and re-opened as a historic attraction. PIC: Contributed.

Scottish island community to buy 5,000-year-old ancient monument

Calanais Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis

Major lunar event to be marked at Calanais Standing Stones

Archaeologists working at the site of the Culduthel Iron Age craftworking village near Inverness, which was discovered as housebuilders prepared to move onto the land. PIC: HeadlandArchaeology.

Exclusive Scotland risks 'wholesale loss' of heritage due to archaeology cuts

A coloured engraving by Sir William Hamilton of the 1767 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, viewed from Naples (Picture: Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images)

Heartbreaking find in Pompeii highlights dilemma when volcano erupted Scotsman comment

A Pictish spearbutt discovered close to East Lomond hillfort in Fife is believed to have been used in close contact.

Scotland's 5 top archaeological finds of 2024 revealed

Archaeologists are to investigate chambered and passage tombs which were built across Scotland around 6,000 years ago (Picture: Gavin MacGregor)

Scotland and France's Auld Alliance (sort of) dates back 6,000 years Scotsman comment

Scotland’s Earliest Megalithic Monuments will investigate the chambered and passage tombs which were built across the country around 6,000 years ago.
PIC: Gavin MacGregor, Archaeology Scotland

Secrets of Scotland's earliest 6,000-year-old tombs to be unlocked

Excavations at Glencoe have discovered a range of artefacts which offer a "profoundly personal" connection to the people who lived in the glen around the time of the infamous 1692 massacre. PIC: Derek Alexander/NTS.

Glencoe Massacre: Extraordinary finds made at house where shots fired

Mary Queen of Scots: The site of a castle reportedly linked to the doomed monarch is thought to have been found.

Site of lost medieval castle 'linked to Mary Queen of Scots' is found

A selection of Bronze Age objects from the Peebles Hoard , including the rattle pendant. PIC: © National Museums Scotland

'Exceptional' 3,000-year treasure hoard saved for Scotland

An artist’s impression of the workshop at Coultorsay on Islay, which was in operation around 1,500 years ago. PIC: GUARD.

Rare island find reveals everyday life in ancient Scots kingdom

The remains of the ship's wooden hull were exposed on an Orkney beach by a storm earlier this year

New hope that 'incredible' Orkney shipwreck can be identified Scotsman comment

Skiffs moored at Tarbert in Kintyre where Norwegian King Magnus Olafsson visited in 1098.

Following the journey of a kilted Viking king by a Scottish loch

The lidded vessel from the Galloway Hoard and the Viking-age treasures it contained. Image © National Museums Scotland

Incredible journey of star object of Galloway Hoard revealed
The country of origin of the lidded vessel at the heart of the Galloway Hoard has been revealed.

Belgian archaeologist Dominique Bosquet working on a human skeleton found in 2022 at the site of the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium. Picture: Chris van Houts/Waterloo Uncovered/PA Wire

The Scottish link to 'rare' Battle of Waterloo skeleton finds

King Robert the Bruce's statue at Bannockburn

'Shocker' Bannockburn plans 'erode' Robert the Bruce site

A replica 17th-century turf and creel house in Glencoe which would have stood throughout the area during the time of the infamous massacre. PIC: NTS/PA.

The Glencoe clan chief and the 'hidden' coins buried under a fireplace

The Bosta Iron Age house on the Isle of Lewis was reconstructed after a storm shifted sands on the beach to reveal stone walls of a village which had been hidden under the dunes for millennia. PIC: Bernera Museum.

Scotland's ancient buildings return to the landscape

The piece of harpoon that may have been used to kill seals and dolphins in the Beauly Firth around 4,000 BC.

6,000-year-old tools made of deer antler found in Highlands

Scotland gifted replica '˜Terracotta Warriors' from China

Threave Castle's architecture has been voted some of Scotland's most innovative. Image: TSPL

Medieval architecture tops Scotland's best list

Comedian Tim Fitzhigham. Picture: TSPL

Joke of the Week by Tim Fitzhigham

Album review: Sweet Billy Pilgrim, Crown and Treaty

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Students lead history debate

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Archaeologists are worth their salt with Joppa find

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Archaeology firm finds its feet in England

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