24 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Scotland’s Giant Neolithic Timber Hall Discovered—Built 1,000 Years Before Stonehenge

Archaeologists uncover one of the largest Neolithic timber halls in Scotland, revealing a long-lost site of prehistoric gatherings, rituals, and Bronze Age wealth.

In a discovery hailed as one of the most significant in recent Scottish archaeology, researchers from GUARD Archaeology have unearthed a vast Neolithic timber hall near Carnoustie, Angus, believed to have served as a ceremonial and communal gathering place for some of Scotland’s earliest farming communities around 4000 BC—over a thousand years before Stonehenge was constructed.

The excavation, carried out in advance of a football pitch development near Carnoustie High School and funded by Angus Council, revealed the remains of a 35-metre-long and 9-metre-wide timber hall—the largest of its kind ever found in Scotland. The monumental structure, built using massive oak timbers with complex internal divisions and thick daubed walls, points to a highly sophisticated and organized Neolithic society.

“This monumental timber hall was fully formed, architecturally advanced, and entirely alien to the Mesolithic traditions that preceded it,” explained Beverley Ballin Smith, co-author of the newly published excavation report.

Different sides of the Carnoustie Neolithic polished axe. Credit: GUARD Archaeology
Different sides of the Carnoustie Neolithic polished axe. Credit: GUARD Archaeology

Unlike other isolated Neolithic halls found across Scotland, the Carnoustie site features a smaller adjacent hall, measuring nearly 20 metres in length, likely used for domestic purposes. Charred cereal grains and hazelnut shells found in its large hearth suggest daily living activities. However, the larger hall was more symbolic: archaeologists uncovered deliberately buried stone tools and rare artifacts, indicating ceremonial or ritualistic functions.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



The elevated location of the timber halls near natural routeways suggests they were seasonal gathering spots—possibly the center of autumn feasts when hazelnuts were plentiful. Artifacts recovered from as far afield as the Highlands and Isle of Arran—including pitchstone, smoky quartz, and a rare garnet-albite-schist axe—highlight the wide-reaching cultural and trade connections of the community.

The site saw continued activity for centuries. Around 3800–3700 BC, a smaller hall was constructed within the original structure’s footprint and continued to receive ritual deposits until approximately 3600 BC. Seasonal visits and gatherings persisted at the location until about 2500 BC.

The Carnoustie gold decorated bronze spearhead. Credit: GUARD Archaeology
The Carnoustie gold decorated bronze spearhead. Credit: GUARD Archaeology

Bronze Age Legacy: A Hidden Hoard of Weapons and Wealth

Even more remarkably, archaeologists uncovered a Late Bronze Age metalwork hoard, buried centuries later—between 1118 and 924 BC—within the footprint of a much later roundhouse. The hoard included a bronze sword in its original wooden scabbard, a gold-banded spearhead, and a sunflower-headed swan-neck pin, all carefully wrapped in woollen cloth and sheepskin. This preservation is credited to copper’s antimicrobial properties.

“The bronze objects were likely crafted in Scotland using materials imported from eastern England and possibly the Irish Sea area,” said Warren Bailie, co-author of the excavation report.

The sword bears combat damage, while the spearhead shows structural weaknesses—indicating both ceremonial and practical use. A shale bangle found nearby, along with the hoard, suggests the settlement’s occupants were of high status, even though the roundhouse itself appeared modest.

Such hoards are extremely rare, and a similar discovery from the 1960s north of Dundee points to a regional tradition of burying wealth for safekeeping—perhaps during uncertain times.

In a whimsical twist, the final “inhabitant” of the site was a field mouse, discovered through traces of grass and copper staining inside the spearhead socket.

The Carnoustie bronze sword. Credit: GUARD Archaeology
The Carnoustie bronze sword. Credit: GUARD Archaeology

Modern Development, Ancient Past

This world-class archaeological site was uncovered thanks to standard pre-construction assessments. Angus Council required an archaeological survey before the development of sports pitches—a move that unexpectedly revealed over 6,000 years of history beneath the turf.

“No one imagined the construction of football pitches would lead to the discovery of one of Scotland’s most important archaeological finds,” said Kathryn Lindsay, Chief Executive of Angus Council. “This has given us a rare and valuable insight into life in Angus during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.”

The full report, ARO60: Neolithic timber halls and a Bronze Age settlement with hoard at Carnoustie, Angus, by Beverley Ballin Smith, Alan Hunter Blair, and Warren Bailie, is now available through Archaeology Reports Online.

GUARD Archaeology

Cover Image Credit: GUARD Archaeologists excavating the long Neolithic Hall at Carnoustie. Credit: GUARD Archaeology

Related Articles

Intricate Design Revealed on 1100-Year-Old Gold-Inlaid Ritual Spear from Japan’s Island of the Gods

13 June 2025

13 June 2025

A recent archaeological breakthrough on Japan’s sacred Okinoshima Island has unveiled an ornately decorated iron spear from the late Kofun...

One of Andalusia’s Most Monumental 5,000-Year-Old Prehistoric Tombs Unearthed in Teba (Malaga)

23 September 2025

23 September 2025

A team of archaeologists from the University of Cádiz has uncovered one of Andalusia’s most monumental and best-preserved prehistoric tombs:...

8,500-year-old marble statuette found in Çatalhöyük

28 December 2021

28 December 2021

In the 29th season of the excavations in Çatalhöyük, one of the first urbanization models in Anatolia, in the Çumra...

Egypt’s Tanis bronze figurines shed light on ancient commerce

19 July 2021

19 July 2021

A research team told that the newly discovered 3,000-year-old bronze figurines recently unearthed in Tanis, Egypt, can answer questions about...

Archaeologists Uncover 8 Graves Dated 6,500 Years Ago in Lausanne, Swiss

30 October 2021

30 October 2021

Archaeologists have unearthed eight prehistoric tombs between 5,500 and 6,500 years old in the Swiss town of Pully. The site...

Farmer Found Sarcophagus of Hellenistic Period in his Field

9 April 2021

9 April 2021

The citizen named E. G. in Akçakoca, Taşkuyucak District of Gölmarmara district of Manisa (Turkey), while plowing his field, thought...

Around 400-year-old Bronze idols found during house construction in India

25 April 2024

25 April 2024

Three bronze idols, estimated to be about 400 years old, were unearthed during excavation for a house construction project in...

A new Indo-European Language discovered in the Hittite capital Hattusa

21 September 2023

21 September 2023

The Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism announced in a written statement that a new Indo-European language was discovered...

Rare Arabic inscription discovered during Malta housing project works

3 May 2023

3 May 2023

A rare Arabic inscription, possibly dating back to medieval times, was discovered at the site of a social housing project...

The place where John the Baptist was martyred

4 February 2022

4 February 2022

The infamous birthday banquet of Herod Antipas, which culminated in the beheading of St John the Baptist — a preacher...

Archaeologists uncover a 1,500-year-old Lost Mayan city in the Yucatan

28 May 2022

28 May 2022

Researchers have presented their findings after discovering the remnants of an ancient Mayan city on a building site in Mexico....

“Urartian Royal garbage dump” was found during excavations at Ayanis Castle

3 September 2022

3 September 2022

During the excavations carried out in the Ayanis Castle, which was built by the Urartian King Rusa II on the...

The Ancient City of Kilistra, Cappadocia of Konya’s

1 February 2021

1 February 2021

When we talk about fairy chimneys, churches and underground cities, the first place that comes to mind is Cappadocia between...

The famous archaeologist says he will announce the discovery of the mummy of Queen Nefertiti, one of Egyptology’s main riddles, next month

14 September 2022

14 September 2022

On December 9, 2021, Egypt’s archaeological mission, headed by renowned Egyptologist and former Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass, resumed its search...

5,000-Year-Old “Küllüoba Bread” Discovered in Türkiye Reveals Ancient Baking and Fertility Rituals

30 May 2025

30 May 2025

5,000-year-old bread found in Küllüoba Höyük, Turkey reveals ancient baking methods and fertility rituals. Unique archaeological discovery with rich nutritional...