Scar boat burial

Although the site had to be excavated quickly because of the threat of coastal erosion owing to bad weather conditions, it yielded many important finds.

He found bones sticking out of the ground and a small lead object, and thought that he might have discovered the resting place of a dead sailor.

Historic Scotland put together a team led by Magnar Dalland to excavate the site, which took place over November and December 1991.

There is evidence that the man had rowed a boat when he was younger, and that the woman had habitually sat cross-legged, and had possibly spun flax.

[4] Grave goods found next to the man include a sword, a quiver with arrows, a bone comb, and gaming pieces.