**Uncovering a Piece of Enfield’s Ancient Past**
Recently, archaeologists made an exciting discovery at East Lomond hill fort in Fife that sheds new light on the history of our region. A rare stone carving, found by a student excavating the site, may depict a human face, adding to the growing body of evidence that East Lomond was an important Pictish settlement.
Local residents may be interested to know that the discovery has been making waves in the archaeological community, offering new insights into how our ancestors represented themselves through craftsmanship and stone carving. The carved stone object, which appears to show eyes, a nose, and possibly a hairline, is believed to have been created in the 5th-7th century phases of activity at the site.
Enfield residents may be wondering about the significance of this find for our local heritage. While East Lomond is located in Fife, its history has connections to the wider region, including our own borough. The Pictish kingdom, which ruled a large part of what became Scotland, had a significant impact on the development of our area.
The discovery was made by Jodie Allan, a third-year archaeology student from the University of Aberdeen, who volunteered at the site during her summer break. She initially thought she had found a piece of slag but upon closer inspection, realized it was something more remarkable. The find has been co-led by Professor Gordon Noble and Joe Fitzpatrick of the Falkland Stewardship Trust.
The team plans to conduct radiocarbon dating on the floor layers and settlement deposits associated with the building to learn more about the carving. They will also examine other art historical parallels to understand the character and context of the small carved stone object.
As we continue to uncover our local history, it’s essential to appreciate the connections between Enfield and the wider region. The discovery at East Lomond serves as a reminder that our area has a rich and complex past, with stories waiting to be uncovered.
The work at the site is featured in the History Hit documentary Enemies Of Rome: In Search Of The Picts, which provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of our region.