A ring from the Pictish period, distinguished by its elaborate design and a red glass centerpiece, has been unearthed from the ruins of an ancient fort in Scotland. The discovery was made at Burghead Fort, situated in the Moray council area, and is considered a remarkable find, despite the site having been “vandalized” over time.
The ring, which is shaped like a kite, was hidden for over a thousand years until it was unearthed by a volunteer during an excavation organized by the University of Aberdeen. The site, which was identified as being of significant historical importance to the Picts, had its historical value compromised when the town of Burghead was built in the 19th century.
This resulted in a considerable part of the original fort being covered over and its stones reused in new constructions.
John Ralph, a former engineer and graduate of the University of Aberdeen, saw his involvement in the excavation as a unique opportunity. Ralph’s ancestors were among the first settlers in the newly established city, attracted by the flourishing fishing industry.
After his retirement, Ralph volunteered for the Burghead excavations, prompted by a post by archaeology professor Gordon Noble on social media. The excavations, funded by Historic Environment Scotland, produced new insights into the importance of the site and facilitated the creation of 3D reconstructions of its original form.
During the two-week excavation period, Ralph had several instances where he believed he had discovered a noteworthy item, only to have experts identify them as mere “shiny stones.” However, on the final day of the excavation, he unearthed an object that captured his attention. The enthusiastic response of a fellow volunteer led him to hypothesize that the object might possess intrinsic value.
Professor Noble characterized the discovery as “truly extraordinary.”
“When John brought the object in, it was obvious that it was something special,” said Noble. “Even before conservation, it was possible to glimpse the configuration of the grenade.” Noble also noted that Pictish rings are rare and usually found in hidden treasures for protection, making the find even more remarkable, especially in an area that looked like a smaller house.
The ring is now being analyzed at the National Museum of Scotland’s Post-Excavation Service. Ralph, who grew up in Burghead, expressed his excitement at the contribution to the discovery of the region’s Pictish past. “It’s a real pleasure to unearth an artifact and know that you may be the first person to see it in over a thousand years,” said Ralph.
Professor Noble and his team plan to investigate the origin of the ring and determine whether it was manufactured locally, as well as identifying who it may have been created for.
