Newbridge chariot
Encyclopedia
The remains of an Iron Age
chariot burial
, were found near the Bronze burial mound of Huly Hill, at Newbridge
, Scotland
, 10 km west of Edinburgh
in advance of development at the Edinburgh Interchange. The chariot was the first of its kind to be found in Scotland and shows Iron Age Scotland in direct contact with the European Continent. The Newbridge chariot was buried intact, a method consistent with the burial practices of Continental Europe rather than Yorkshire.
and conservators from the National Museum of Scotland
. The excavation revealed that the pit would have been little larger than the chariot itself. It was dug to the depth of the axle then two smaller pits were cut into its base to receive the wheels. A narrower slot accommodated the chariot pole but broadened at the end for the yoke. From the outset it was clear that the iron tyres and other metal fittings around each wheel were well-preserved and it was decided to lift each wheel in a block of soil, allowing specialist excavation and conservation under laboratory conditions.
Unfortunately, the poor preservation conditions meant that all traces of a human body had completely disappeared. However, given the strong parallels of inhumations accompanying chariot burials there is no reason to doubt the former presence of a body in the pit.
The burial may have been an integral part of a larger prehistoric cemetery and enclosure, which surrounded it.
) Unlike these, where most of the chariots were dismantled before burial, the Newbridge example was buried intact. This is similar to burials found in mainland Europe. The construction techniques, however, indicate links with the chariot building traditions of both Yorkshire and Continental Europe.
British Iron Age
The British Iron Age is a conventional name used in the archaeology of Great Britain, referring to the prehistoric and protohistoric phases of the Iron-Age culture of the main island and the smaller islands, typically excluding prehistoric Ireland, and which had an independent Iron Age culture of...
chariot burial
Chariot burial
Chariot burials are tombs in which the deceased was buried together with his chariot, usually including his horses and other possessions....
, were found near the Bronze burial mound of Huly Hill, at Newbridge
Newbridge, Edinburgh
Newbridge is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is south of Kirkliston. Newbridge had a total population of 1,013 at the 2001 Census.-Local amenities:...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, 10 km west of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in advance of development at the Edinburgh Interchange. The chariot was the first of its kind to be found in Scotland and shows Iron Age Scotland in direct contact with the European Continent. The Newbridge chariot was buried intact, a method consistent with the burial practices of Continental Europe rather than Yorkshire.
Excavation
The excavation of the Newbridge chariot burial was carried out by a team from Headland ArchaeologyHeadland Archaeology
Headland Archaeology comprises a holding company Headland Group Ltd and the trading subsidiaries Headland Archaeology Ltd, Headland Archaeology Ltd and Archaeological Investigations Ltd....
and conservators from the National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, was formed in 2006 with the merger of the Museum of Scotland, with collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history, and the Royal Museum next door, with collections covering science and technology, natural history, and world...
. The excavation revealed that the pit would have been little larger than the chariot itself. It was dug to the depth of the axle then two smaller pits were cut into its base to receive the wheels. A narrower slot accommodated the chariot pole but broadened at the end for the yoke. From the outset it was clear that the iron tyres and other metal fittings around each wheel were well-preserved and it was decided to lift each wheel in a block of soil, allowing specialist excavation and conservation under laboratory conditions.
Unfortunately, the poor preservation conditions meant that all traces of a human body had completely disappeared. However, given the strong parallels of inhumations accompanying chariot burials there is no reason to doubt the former presence of a body in the pit.
The burial may have been an integral part of a larger prehistoric cemetery and enclosure, which surrounded it.
Dating
A 5th century BC date for the Newbridge chariot burial places it within the context of La Tene A consistent with its simialrities to European examples and predating the known Yorkshire examples.Finds
Apart from the wheels and the harness fittings there were few other finds. Some horse gear was recovered near the yoke of the chariot.Parallels
The only other area of Britain where chariot burials have been found before is East Yorkshire (Arras CultureArras Culture
The Arras culture is an archaeological culture of the Middle Iron Age in East Yorkshire It takes its name from the cemetery site of Arras near Market Weighton in the East Riding of Yorkshire, which was discovered in the 19th century...
) Unlike these, where most of the chariots were dismantled before burial, the Newbridge example was buried intact. This is similar to burials found in mainland Europe. The construction techniques, however, indicate links with the chariot building traditions of both Yorkshire and Continental Europe.
External links
- BBC news http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1215962.stm
- British Archaeology 76 http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba76/feat3.shtml