Western Isles Archaeology Service
Iron Age Bracelet Found On Barabhas Machair
Barvas Iron Age Bracelet
During excavations sponsored by Historic Scotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Comann Eachdraidh Bharabhais agus Bhrù, at Machair Bharabhais in the Isle of Lewis, an Iron Age cemetery has been found.
A series of cremations and a skeleton buried in a stone lined grave have been excavated, dated on the basis of pottery found on the site to around 2 000 years ago. Beside the head of the skeleton, an iron bracelet with copper alloy decoration was found, the first of its kind from the Western Isles, and possibly the first from Scotland. The bracelet is about 11 cm in diameter, made from a rolled sheet of iron, with decorated copper alloy sheets wrapped around it at two points. Two spiral rings of copper alloy wire also encircle the iron.
It is now, after 2 000 years in the soil, very rusty. Originally, however, the black of the iron would have dramatically set off the shining gold colour of the copper alloy, and it would have been a beautiful piece of jewellery.
Arc-eòlaiche nan Eilean Siar, Dr Mary MacLeod, commented: ' I can't emphasise how important this find is for our understanding of the history of the islands. It may either have been imported, or made locally. It shows us that, two millenia ago, the islands were in contact with the main stream of European culture and fashion. This find demonstrates how much we can learn about our past from archaeological research.'
Kenneth A Matheson, Chairman of Comann Eachdraidh Bharabhais agus Bhrù said, "We have been very aware of the archaeological significance of Barvas machair. We have recorded information about it from local people and have organised historical walks in the area. The professional input of Dr Mary MacLeod has moved our knowledge and interest forward greatly. This summer's training of local volunteers as part of the machair dig has proved very worthwhile and we look forward to continuing that development."
