A remarkable ring dating back at least a millennium has been unearthed near the Scottish shore by an enthusiastic volunteer, John Ralph, who is not an archeologist. The discovery was made during excavations at Burghead, which was thought to be a significant seat of power during the Pictish kingdom between 500 and 1000 CE.
Ralph, a 68-year-old former engineer, had been volunteering at the site for two weeks, initially finding interesting items like bone pins. However, his enthusiasm was dampened by being told that some of his initial discoveries were just shiny rocks. That changed when he found the ring while cleaning the floor of a structure.
Professor Gordon Noble, who has led the excavation work, described the discovery as “truly incredible.” The ring is significant because it’s one of very few Pictish rings ever discovered, and those that have been found usually come from deliberate hoards rather than being uncovered by chance.
The Picts were northern tribes who made up the largest kingdom in Dark Age Scotland. They were known for their military prowess, having successfully resisted Roman invasions and repelled Angle invaders during the Battle of Dun Nechtain.
The ring’s discovery offers a connection to this crucial group of people in Scottish history and might provide greater understanding of a kingdom that “disappeared from history.” The ring is currently being analyzed at the National Museum of Scotland.
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a62068037/archaeologist-finds-scotland-pictish-ring/