Archaeologists found it along the road in North Lanarkshire, also finding traces of four buildings from the 14th to the 18th centuries.
Improvements to the M8, M73 and M74 motorways in North Lanarkshire meant that Transport Scotland and its consultants had to turn to GUARD Archeology for archaeological research before continuing their work. Since in this place, remains of four medieval houses were found, along with ceramics, game pieces and other objects found.
The buildings were constructions made of stone, which according to radiocarbon analysis, would have belonged between the 14th and 17th centuries AD.
During the excavation, archaeological treasures were found, such as ceramic sherds. Mostly pitchers, as well as kitchen pots, storage jars, and bowls . In addition, metallurgical rubble was discovered, which indicates that there was iron foundry, refinement of flowers and the existence of what would have been the town’s blacksmith shop. While the largest number of medieval objects found correspond to several with the shapes of nails and other common accessories of a town at that time.
However, an unusual repository of artifacts that today concentrates the greatest interest was discovered in one of the homes.
Because in addition to the ceramic sherds, among the most recognizable remains of occupation, others were found in this building that were not observed in the neighbors . Such as a grit sandstone whetstone, a spindle turn made of cannel charcoal, a game piece, a counter made of a green glazed pottery shard, and two 17th century coins. Finally, and what would be the greatest treasure of this excavation, an iron dagger.
“The mineralized organic material on its blade suggests that it was sheathed when buried, and that it was probably intact and still usable at the time (…) The shape of this dagger is indistinguishable from Iron Age examples, indicating that this form of simple dagger had a very long history ”.
_ Gemma Cruickshanks, from the National Museums of Scotland and co-author of the research, told the GUARD Archeology site –
“The special or talismanic qualities of this dagger as a protective object may have enhanced the ritual act to protect the house from worldly and magical damage (…) The deposition of these objects below the level of the foundations of one of the houses may have had the intention of affirming this space as a safe place for them and future generations ”.
_ Added Natasha Ferguson , another of the co-authors.
Unfortunately, so many rituals and talismanic objects were of little use. Because this town, Netherton, was razed in the 18th century, after the Dukes of Hamilton demanded improvements on their property, transforming the place into a symmetrical and orderly park with wide avenues and enclosures. Construction that was later also replaced by a highway.
Source : GUARD Archeology