For the first time in 4,000 years, jewelry worn by a wealthy Scottish woman during the Bronze Age is being showcased to the public. The pieces, including parts of a necklace and bracelet, were originally discovered in 1870 at a burial site on the former Balgay Estate near Dundee.
National Museums Scotland conservators have meticulously combined the original beads with newly crafted replicas to restore the jewelry to its original appearance. The restored items are now on display at Dundee’s McManus Art Gallery and Museum.
Matthew Knight, Senior Curator of Prehistory at National Museums Scotland, described the project as an intricate “jigsaw puzzle.” He explained, “It was part of a jewelry set buried with the deceased. The restoration process involved detailed analysis, including X-rays of the beads to understand their manufacturing.”
Knight highlighted the significance of the discovery, noting, “The jewelry set was highly elaborate and indicative of high social status. Being buried with such items signified the owner’s wealth and respect within their society.”
The excavation revealed 42 jet beads and nine jet plates, initially believed to be from a single piece of jewelry. However, recent research confirmed that they belong to a matching bracelet and necklace set. The jet plates feature elaborate bored dot designs, marking them as valuable artifacts, and signs of wear on the larger plates suggest they were frequently worn.
Assistant Conservator Bethan Bryan worked on the restoration, noting that while the necklace parts were “dusty but in great condition,” some beads were missing. “I assessed the remaining jets and created new beads to complete the set,” Bryan said. “It took about 50 hours to cast and paint 66 new beads from resin plaster.”
Bryan expressed satisfaction with the project, stating, “Seeing the completed jewelry on display after so much effort is incredibly rewarding.”
Knight also pointed out that similar jewelry finds in burials around Dundee and along the east coast suggest a wealthy community, likely benefiting from the region’s fertile agricultural land.
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