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.
Led by the National Trust for Scotland’s Head of Archaeological Services, Derek Alexander, in collaboration with the Trust’s team at Culloden Battlefield and Professor of Conflict History and Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, Tony Pollard, this project aims to facilitate further understanding of the final battle of the Jacobite Rising of 1746.
Volunteers and archaeology experts from all’over the world have joined the excavation, supporting the team in searching for new discoveries. The Trust is being supported by volunteers from RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks, as well as archaeology students from as far away as North America and other parts of Europe.
Ellen Fogel Walker, Estates & Conservation Manager at Culloden Battlefield, said: "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."
Derek Alexander, 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."
Lorne MacLeod, Visitor Services Assistant, Estates, at Culloden discovered the first artefacts of the dig on Monday. Lorne discovered what is believed to be a button, kicking the week off to a great start. Previous digs have uncovered a wide range of artefacts, including a shoe buckle believed to have belonged to Donald Cameron of Lochiel; grapeshot; and musket balls, each telling a piece of the story in this historic battlefield.
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."
This excavation combines traditional archaeological methods, such as grid-based test pits, metal detecting and modern techniques to uncover more artefacts that could provide further insights into the Battle of Culloden.
Areas such as the Field of the English will be targeted for metal detecting, utilising techniques applied during the excavation at the Battlefield of Waterloo, which maximised artefact recovery. Gary Craig will join the archaeologists on the project, who has led the detecting team for charity Waterloo Uncovered since its inception in 2015.
The dig will be conducted with great care, respecting the site’s solemn history. Culloden Battlefield is a designated war grave, and the Trust ensures all’activities at this significant site are designed with thoughtful care and respect.
