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Jewellery worn by a Scottish woman has been shown for the first time in 4,000 years. | Source: BBC/Duncan McGlynn
Jewellery worn by a Scottish woman has been shown for the first time in 4,000 years. | Source: BBC/Duncan McGlynn

4,000 years later: Ancient jewellery unveiled in Scotland

Jewellery worn by a Scottish woman has been shown for the first time in 4,000 years.

Pieces of a necklace and bracelet were unearthed in 1870 at a burial site near Dundee. Now, National Museums Scotland conservators have combined the original pieces with recreations.

The pieces are now available for viewing at Dundee's McManus Art Gallery and Museum. Matthew Knight, senior curator of prehistory, described the creation of the exhibition as similar to that of a jigsaw puzzle.

"It was part of a jewellery set that was buried with the dead, and the restoration involved several layers of analysis, including X-rays of the beads to understand how they were made,” he told the BBC.

"People are genuinely interested in these discoveries, they tell us so much about human nature and about the people that lived in Scotland before us."

The excavation uncovered 42 jet beads and nine jet plates. Initially, it was believed the recovered items were part of a single piece of jewellery; however, recent research revealed they were a matching set.

The jewellery is believed to be an elaborate high-status collection, as indicated by intricate bored dot designs. Signs of wear suggest it was worn frequently.

The restoration project took around 50 hours to complete.

Bethan Bryan spent about 50 hours restoring the jewellery. The original pieces of the necklace feature intricate designs. | Source: BBC/Duncan McGlynn
Bethan Bryan spent about 50 hours restoring the jewellery. The original pieces of the necklace feature intricate designs. | Source: BBC/Duncan McGlynn

The bronze aged necklace is a combination of original and recreated pieces. | Source: BBC/Duncan McGlynn
The bronze aged necklace is a combination of original and recreated pieces. | Source: BBC/Duncan McGlynn

 

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