A team of archaeologists in the United Kingdom have unearthed several fragments of ancient bronze weapons on one of the Hebridean islands in Scotland.
Members of the RSPB Scotland nature reserve found the pieces of broken spearheads and swords at a dig site on the Isle of Coll. Experts believe these weapons date back to around 3,000 years ago.
Jill Harden, an archaeologist from RSPB Scotland, explained that the weapons were most likely broken and thrown into one of the local lochs as part of an ancient religious ceremony.
"This is the first discovery of this size from Argyll for many years," Harden said.
"The items were recovered from what had once been a freshwater loch - it seems that they had been purposely broken and cast into the waters as part of a ceremony, most likely as offerings or gifts to the gods or goddesses of the time."
Harden pointed out that bronze swords were reportedly discovered on the Isle of Coll while workers were conducting drainage works in the area in the 19th century. However, the whereabouts of these ancient weapons remain unknown today.
Officials from the Treasure Trove Unit together with the National Museums Scotland and the RSPB Scotland nature reserve directed the investigation on the archaeological find.
Twelve of the newly discovered bronze weapon pieces have been transferred to the Kilmartin Museum located in Argyll. Several other local museums were allowed to apply to obtain the weapons but the Treasure Trove Unit ultimately chose to hand the weapons over to the Kilmartin Museum for conservation and care.
Trevor Cowie, a representative from the Scottish history and archaeology department of the National Museums Scotland said that while a considerable number of artifacts from this era have been found in Scotland's western region in the past, there is little information about the exact locations they were discovered.
Cowie added that the development of archaeological techniques since the discoveries were first made during the 19th century provides them with a great opportunity to uncover many unsolved mysteries regarding the lives of people on the Isle of Coll some 3,000 years in the past.
The ancient weapons are available for public viewing at the An Cridhe community center on Coll from Thursday, Oct. 15, to Friday, Oct. 16.
