Royal links unearthed at ancient Scottish hillfort

An ancient fort could have been home to a long-lost royal family. Archaeologists and volunteers excavating Trusty’s Hill fort at Gatehouse also believe the site was a stronghold of the lost Dark Age kingdom of Rheged. 

Excavations at Trusty's Hill [Credit: Guard Archaeology]

The research discovered high status jewellery and rare pottery from France and possibly the Mediterranean, dating back to the sixth and seventh century. 

Only kings, princes, lords and bishops acquired this kind of pottery. But the exact meaning of Pictish symbols and Ogham script on stones at the site are still not clear. 

Historic Scotland is carrying out laser scans on the symbols this week to find out how the Pictish symbols were made. 

They are also hoping to translate the Ogham inscription from the scans. 

It is hoped this may reveal more about why the cultures of three Dark Age groups – the Britons, Picts and Scots – came together at Trusty’s Hill. 

Francis Toolis, president of Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society – who led the research – said: “The excavation has radically changed our perception of Galloway during the Dark Ages. 

“For the first time in 1,400 years, Trusty’s Hill is being recognised as one of the most important Dark Age sites in Scotland.” 

Author: Patricia Lewis | Source: Galloway News [June 14, 2012]