During archaeological excavations in the town of Burghead, at the site of an ancient Pictish fort, amateur archaeologist John Ralph unearthed a unique ring featuring a red inlay. It may be made from garnet.
John Ralph, a retired engineer and former graduate of the University of Aberdeen, has long been passionate about digging. The discovered Pictish ring marks the first significant find in Mr. Ralph’s archaeological pursuits.
The exquisite artifact, “shaped like a flying kite,” was found on the last day of excavations at the fort in Burghead, which served as the administrative center of the Pictish kingdom from the 6th to the 9th centuries. The ring was hidden within the ruins of an old residential building, as reported by Live Science.
According to a statement from the University of Aberdeen, this area is now part of the town of Burghead. During its construction in the 1800s, a significant portion of the ancient fort’s remains was destroyed and buried.
Why This Discovery Matters
The Picts were the earliest people to inhabit Scotland. The name “Picts” means “painted ones,” reflecting their custom of body painting and tattooing. It is believed that the Picts as a people formed between the 3rd and 9th centuries AD. The most famous artifacts left behind by the Picts are petroglyphs—carved stone slabs adorned with images. The meaning of many symbols on these slabs remains unknown to scholars. Overall, Pictish culture is still not well understood. There are almost no written records from this people, aside from the petroglyphs themselves. Therefore, every discovery that can shed more light on the Picts is incredibly valuable.
The ring with the red inlay is such a unique find. Expert analysis will help determine the exact material of this central decorative element. So far, archaeologists have two theories regarding the inlay’s composition: it could either be garnet or red glass.
Very few Pictish rings have been discovered to date. Typically, they were part of treasures buried in the ground for safekeeping, explained Gordon Noble, the excavation leader and professor of archaeology at the University of Aberdeen. According to him, the excavation team did not expect to find something so special right among the ruins of an old house. Professor Noble also added that his team uncovered “other evidence of metalworking” at this archaeological site, as well as remnants of several ancient buildings.