Archaeologists in Scotland have unearthed a rare 2,000-year-old Roman brooch at an Iron Age settlement, sparking fresh debate about its origins and significance. Found beneath a distillery in Ayrshire, the artifact may have been buried as a ritual offering or taken from Roman soldiers as a war trophy.
An Unexpected Discovery Beneath a Scottish Distillery
The brooch, an enamelled bronze piece believed to date back to the second century AD, was discovered at the William Grant & Sons Girvan Distillery in 2020. It was found in the foundations of a fortified roundhouse, a defensive structure built atop a rocky plateau, suggesting its placement was intentional.
Unlike typical Roman artifacts, which are sometimes uncovered at sites linked to trade or occupation, this brooch is the only Roman item found at the location. The find has led archaeologists to question how it arrived in what was otherwise an Iron Age settlement. Some experts suggest it was part of a ritual offering meant to protect the household, while others argue it may have been taken in battle.
A Clue to Roman and Iron Age Interactions
Jordan Barbour, who co-authored a report on the discovery, highlighted the unusual nature of the find. While Roman goods occasionally appear in Scotland, they are often found in sites with clear evidence of trade or prolonged Roman contact.
“If the inhabitants had engaged in regular commerce with Roman Britain, we would expect to see more Roman items,” Barbour said. “Instead, this is a solidly native context, making the brooch’s presence all the more intriguing.”
Archaeologists believe there are a few possible explanations:
- Trade or Gift: The brooch may have been obtained through occasional exchanges with Roman soldiers stationed north of Hadrian’s Wall.
- Trophy from Conflict: Given the intermittent clashes between Roman forces and local Britons, it is possible that the brooch was taken from a Roman soldier during battle.
- Ritual Offering: The intentional burial within the roundhouse foundation hints at a possible votive sacrifice, a practice intended to invoke protection from deities.
Roman Influence Beyond the Empire’s Borders
The brooch itself was a common design among Roman military personnel, frequently found in Central Europe, the Rhineland, and Switzerland. Its discovery in Scotland suggests Roman goods traveled far beyond the empire’s formal boundaries, even as direct Roman control in the region waned.
At the time the brooch was buried, the Roman military was withdrawing from Scotland. The Antonine Wall, a northern frontier beyond Hadrian’s Wall, had been abandoned, and Roman forces were retreating south. However, traces of Roman military activity persisted, including a marching camp near the excavation site.
Sacred Symbol or Battlefield Spoil?
Barbour and his colleagues lean toward the theory that the brooch was placed in the roundhouse foundation deliberately, a belief reinforced by historical examples of foundation sacrifices. Many ancient societies buried objects within new buildings to bring good fortune or ward off malevolent spirits.
“These brooches were particularly popular among Roman soldiers, so it’s likely that it came north of Hadrian’s Wall on the cloak of a soldier stationed at the empire’s northern frontier,” Barbour said. “Whether it was taken in battle or left as a spiritual token, its presence tells us something fascinating about the movement of people and objects in this period.”
The discovery underscores the complex interactions between the Roman Empire and the local populations beyond its official borders, a relationship that was not just defined by warfare but also by trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. While the true story of the brooch may remain a mystery, its existence in an Iron Age settlement deep in Scotland adds another layer to the long history of Roman and British interactions.
