Roman Traces in Scotland: Rare Brooch Illuminates Iron Age Settlement and Cultural Interaction

Archaeological excavations at the William Grant & Sons Girvan Distillery in southwest Scotland have provided striking evidence of the Roman Empire’s interactions in the far north. Research conducted by GUARD Archaeology has revealed that a rare enamelled Roman brooch, dating to the late 2nd century AD, sheds light on the complex relationships between local British communities and the Roman army.

The Iron Age settlement uncovered at Curragh in 2020 was an area surrounded by a sturdy wooden palisade with a large gated entrance. During the excavation, the enamelled bronze brooch extracted from the foundation pit holding the palisade in place became the most remarkable artifact found in the settlement. The Roman origin of this brooch and its dating to the late 2nd century AD provide important clues about cultural interactions in the region.

“This exotic brooch and others like it are generally dated to the late 2nd century AD and are most often found along the borders of the Roman Empire, in Eastern Gaul, Switzerland, and the Rhineland,” said Jordan Barbour, co-author of the report. “Their distribution patterns show that these brooches were particularly popular among members of the Roman military forces.” This suggests that the brooch may have been brought by a Roman soldier serving north of Hadrian’s Wall.

How the brooch was used by the Iron Age inhabitants of the settlement is another matter of curiosity. The absence of evidence that it was worn by a local Briton suggests that the brooch may have been buried as an offering at the foundation of the palisade built around the roundhouse. Barbour said, “It’s hard to say exactly why the brooch was left in the palisade ditch, but we know that ritual foundation offerings are observed in many cultures.”

There are different scenarios about how the brooch arrived in the region. The lack of other Roman artifacts in the settlement suggests that rather than regular trade, the brooch may have been obtained through temporary exchange with Roman troops or as war booty.

The Curragh Iron Age settlement was built on top of a rocky plateau with a steep slope blocking access from the north, likely for defensive purposes. Although there were no contemporary Roman forts nearby after the abandonment of the Antonine Wall in the early 2nd century AD, a 1st century AD Roman marching camp about two kilometers to the southwest proves an earlier military presence in the region.

The excavations also revealed that the region has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times. An older roundhouse dated to the 7th century BC by radiocarbon dating and Neolithic pottery dated between 3,700 and 3,500 BC testify to the region’s thousands of years of settlement history.

This study, conducted by GUARD Archaeology, uncovers the secrets of the region’s prehistoric and Roman periods, making important contributions to Scotland’s cultural heritage. Archaeology provides valuable information about people’s lives, interactions, and beliefs by tracing the traces of the past.

ARO59 A Neolithic Monument, Iron Age Homesteads and Early Medieval Kilns: excavations at the Curragh, Girvan by Jordan Barbour and Dave McNichol is freely available to download from Archaeology Reports Online.