A ‘remarkable’ Pictish ring, untouched for over a millennium, has been discovered at the ancient Burghead Fort in Moray, Scotland, during a dig led by the University of Aberdeen. Found by volunteer John Ralph, the intricately designed ring features a kite-shaped setting with a red garnet or glass at its center. Its discovery at a site previously thought to have been archaeologically compromised sheds new light on Burghead’s historical importance during the Pictish period.
Rediscovering Burghead: A Forgotten Pictish Treasure
Burghead Fort, once a significant stronghold during the Pictish era, had long been considered a lost archaeological site. When the town of Burghead was constructed in the early 19th century, large portions of the fort were dismantled, with much of the stone being repurposed for new buildings. The construction of the new town was a key development for the region’s fishing industry, with families, including the ancestors of John Ralph, moving there for work.
However, thanks to excavation efforts led by Professor Gordon Noble and funded by Historic Environment Scotland, Burghead’s Pictish past has gradually re-emerged. Over the past three years, Noble’s team has uncovered a wealth of artifacts and evidence suggesting that Burghead was once a seat of Pictish power, with high-status metalworking and impressive structures.
John Ralph, a retired engineer and University of Aberdeen graduate, had been volunteering…
