A 3,000-year-old hoard of Bronze Age artifacts, known as the Peebles Hoard, has been secured by National Museums Scotland (NMS). Unearthed by metal detectorist Mariusz Stepien in the Scottish Borders in 2020, this unique find includes over 500 bronze and organic pieces dating between 1000 and 800 BCE. The hoard, preserved through the Treasure Trove process, is already transforming our understanding of Scotland’s Bronze Age connections and craftsmanship.
Among the notable items are two “rattle pendants” — interlinked bronze rings and pendant plates, which experts believe would have hung from horses or vehicles, creating a rattling sound as they moved. These objects are commonly found in Denmark, northern Germany, and northern Poland, indicating Scotland’s active role within a vast North Sea trade and cultural network.
Dr. Matthew Knight, senior curator of prehistory at NMS, noted, “The Peebles Hoard is exceptional, an utterly unique discovery that rewrites our understanding of both Bronze Age communities in Scotland and our prehistoric international connections.”
The hoard, which includes a sword still sheathed in its wooden scabbard and bronze buttons looped onto cords, was excavated as a single block. In collaboration with the University of Southampton’s µ-VIS X-ray Imaging Centre, the hoard was CT scanned to reveal the layout of the artifacts within their original context.
Professor Ian Sinclair, founder of the imaging center, said: “CT scanning the hoard was certainly a big challenge due to the scale of the hoard block, but we relished the opportunity to bring our engineering skills to successfully support this research on such an exceptional historical find.”
Notably, the CT scans also identified some of the earliest evidence in Scotland of “lost-wax casting,” a sophisticated technique used to produce complex metal objects. Other items include pins, studs, and decorative straps, some embedded in wood or leather, and these rare organic materials offer scholars an exceptional opportunity to study Bronze Age craftsmanship and materials.
NMS has now launched a fundraising campaign to support the ongoing conservation and research of the Peebles Hoard. The Peebles Hoard, now in the collection of National Museums Scotland, is expected to provide new perspectives on Scotland’s place in early European society, bridging cultures across the North Sea.
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