This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8412938.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bronze Age flowers found in grave Bronze Age flowers found in grave
(about 4 hours later)
For the first time ever there is proof that pre-historic people placed bunches of flowers in the grave when they buried their dead, experts have said. Proof that pre-historic people placed bunches of flowers in the grave when they buried their dead has been found for the first time, experts have said.
Archaeologists have discovered a bunch of meadowsweet blossoms in a Bronze Age grave at Forteviot, south of Perth.Archaeologists have discovered a bunch of meadowsweet blossoms in a Bronze Age grave at Forteviot, south of Perth.
The find is reported in the journal "British Archaeology", out this week.The find is reported in the journal "British Archaeology", out this week.
Pollen found in earlier digs had been thought to have come from honey, or the alcoholic drink mead but this find may finally rule that theory out.Pollen found in earlier digs had been thought to have come from honey, or the alcoholic drink mead but this find may finally rule that theory out.
Dr Kenneth Brophy, from the University of Glasgow, said the flowers "don't look very much. Just about three or four millimetres across."Dr Kenneth Brophy, from the University of Glasgow, said the flowers "don't look very much. Just about three or four millimetres across."
"But these are the first proof that people in the Bronze Age were actually placing flowers in with burials.""But these are the first proof that people in the Bronze Age were actually placing flowers in with burials."
The dark brown heads were found, along with a clump of organic material which archaeologists now say is the stems of the flowers.The dark brown heads were found, along with a clump of organic material which archaeologists now say is the stems of the flowers.
Archaeologists are excited by the flowerhead discoveryArchaeologists are excited by the flowerhead discovery
The bunch had been placed by the head of the high-status individual known to have been buried in the grave.The bunch had been placed by the head of the high-status individual known to have been buried in the grave.
Diggers also found pieces from a birch bark coffin in the grave, and a bronze dagger with a gold hilt band.Diggers also found pieces from a birch bark coffin in the grave, and a bronze dagger with a gold hilt band.
"In burials we're used to finding metalwork", Dr Brophy explained."In burials we're used to finding metalwork", Dr Brophy explained.
"But to find these very human touches is something very rare, if not unique. It brings it home to you that what you're looking at is not just a series of abstract remains, but actually these are people that you're dealing with.""But to find these very human touches is something very rare, if not unique. It brings it home to you that what you're looking at is not just a series of abstract remains, but actually these are people that you're dealing with."
The finds all come from a bronze age grave - or cist - excavated by the Universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow.The finds all come from a bronze age grave - or cist - excavated by the Universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow.
The site was marked by an avenue of oak posts, and large earthworks.The site was marked by an avenue of oak posts, and large earthworks.
More digs are planned in the area next year, when archaeologists will try to confirm if a sandstone slab found nearby was part of a stone circle.More digs are planned in the area next year, when archaeologists will try to confirm if a sandstone slab found nearby was part of a stone circle.
The excavations are all part of the Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot Project (Serf).The excavations are all part of the Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot Project (Serf).