As well as evidence for fine metalworking, the 2012 excavation revealed evidence for textile production at Trusty’s Hill too. Woollen textile manufacture is clearly demonstrated by the stone spindle whorl recovered from the western side of the summit. Producing textiles, whether … Continue reading
Alongside the evidence for high status craft working at Trusty’s Hill in the late sixth century AD, the 2012 excavations recovered two sherds of imported pottery – both from France – one a sherd of Roman samian ware and the other a … Continue reading
One of the apparently more mundane artefacts recovered from the summit of Trusty’s Hill was a small lead bar. Some hammer-marks are visible on the surface from shaping it. This was probably an ingot of raw material for use in … Continue reading
Further analysis of the Anglo-Saxon decorated horse mount reveals even more information about how it may have been acquired by the inhabitants of Trusty’s Hill. X-Ray Fluorescence analysis of the mount shows that it comprised of leaded brass with a … Continue reading
Along with the evidence for gold, silver, leaded bronze and iron working, Trusty’s Hill also produced a small but impressive assemblage of metal artefacts. The high quality of the ironwork assemblage in particular, especially given the small scale of excavations, is a good … Continue reading
Alongside the evidence for ironworking, there was a variety of debris associated with non-ferrous metalworking recovered from Trusty’s Hill. XRF analysis of crucible fragments demonstrate that copper, tin, lead and silver were worked. It is notable that a high proportion … Continue reading
This pock-marked stone poking out of the rubble collapse of the rampart on the west side of Trusty’s Hill turned out to be an anvil stone, one of a number of finds examined during specialist post-excavation analysis that demonstrate that iron metalworking was … Continue reading
Inspired and intrigued by Chris Bowles’ talk about Trusty’s Hill at the Scotland in Early Medieval Europe Conference back in February 2013, Richard Strathie went to have a look at the site. We thought the aerial photographs he took of Trusty’s … Continue reading
The summary results of the excavation of Trusty’s Hill was published recently in the latest volume of the Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society (Volume 87, 2013). This report is intended simply as an interim report, in advance … Continue reading
Revisited Trusty’s Hill recently with Welsh TV company Cwmni Da, who were making a programme on the ‘Old North’ for the S4C series Darn Bach o Hanes (A little Piece of History). With the fantastic summer weather, the site is … Continue reading