New findings at one of Scotland's most important archaeological sites suggest Iron Age industries may have been impressively advanced

© The Broxmouth Project

© The Broxmouth Project

© The Broxmouth Project

Scotland’s industrial roots may have been forged by sophisticated blacksmiths as long ago as 490BC, according to new research on Broxmouth, the prehistoric settlement of roundhouses, elaborate hill fort entrances and an exceptionally rare Iron Age cemetery.Originally excavated during the 1970s, the artefacts from the East Lothian site are being reappraised following a six-year investigation by experts at the University of Bradford, backed by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Historic Scotland and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.They say that the high-carbon steel remains, which had been heated and quenched in water, point to a wider community productivity line and the beginnings of steel manufacturing in Scotland.“The process of manufacturing steel requires extensive knowledge, skill and craftsmanship,” explains Dr Gerry McDonnell, an expert in archaeological metals who was part of the team working on land occupied for at least 1,000 years, only being abandoned during the Roman occupation.“It is far from straightforward, which is why such an early example of its production tells us so much about the people who once occupied this hill fort.“It points to an advanced, organised community where complex skills were refined and passed on."Technical skills at this level would only be achievable by specialist metalworkers who devoted their lives to perfecting and developing their craft - some might say the first example of a Scottish 'knowledge economy'."Such specialisation could only have happened with the practical support of the wider community at Broxmouth and beyond."It is a poignant start to the story of iron and steel manufacture in Scotland."