Experts armed with both traditional archaeology tools and cutting-edge technology are peeling back layers of earth to reveal untold stories of the final clash of the Jacobite Rising in 1746.
The excavation is being led by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), aims to create a further understanding of the final battle, with volunteers from RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks assisting archaeology experts and students from as far away as North America and other parts of Europe.
Leading the dig is the trust’s Head of Archaeological Services, Derek Alexander. He is working in collaboration with the Trust’s team at Culloden Battlefield and Professor of Conflict History and Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, Tony Pollard.
Derek said: “It’s always exciting to be working at Culloden Battlefield and so many of the artefacts have great stories to tell.
“Even small scale pieces of fieldwork can contribute to a better understanding of how the battle unfolded. We are really looking forward to working with Professor Pollard again and to making use of the techniques he has developed and honed at Waterloo.”
Ellen Fogel Walker, Estates & Conservation Manager at Culloden Battlefield, added: “Working with our Archaeological team over the past four years has uncovered extensive knowledge of the battlefield and its role as a living landscape. Not only have we found material from the time of the battle, but prehistoric and modern material, which shows the continual presence of people here both before and after 1746.”
A recent Culloden Battlefield excavation in April this year uncovered multiple artefacts including a clan chief’s shoe buckle.
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Researchers working around a 60 square-metre area close to what was the Government frontline at the 1746 battle uncovered incredible finds, including a variety of musket balls and grapeshot.
A broken copper alloy buckle was also uncovered, which is believed to have belonged to Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the hereditary chief of Clan Cameron who led a 400-strong regiment at the Battle of Culloden.
A staunch Jacobite, he played a key role in the 1745 Rising and marched with his clan regiment to Derby and back.
Despite being wounded at Culloden, he managed to escape to France with Bonnie Prince Charlie in September 1746.
The new dig which got underway on Monday is already proving to be a further success, with a visitor service assistant, Lorne MacLeod uncovering what is believed to be a button.
Professor Tony Pollard said: “It’s been nearly 20 years since I’ve worked on the archaeology of Culloden. We made some spectacular discoveries with metal detectors back them, and I’m delighted many of them are on display in the visitor centre.
“It’s exciting to be back, and I’m looking forward to us applying archaeological techniques we’ve developed more recently at Waterloo, where, as we did at Culloden first time around, we have made a valuable contribution to our understanding of a battle which in its own bloody way made history.”
For the dig, traditional archaeological methods are being used such as grid-based test pits and metal detecting. Organisers say the dig will be conducted with great care, respecting the site’s solemn history, with it being a designated war grave.
It will resume on Friday 18 October and visitors are being encouraged to book a slot to get involved, to help uncover more artefacts that could provide further insights into the Battle.
Bookings are available online.
