Tarbat Historic Trust project awarded top archaeological award

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An archaeological project coordinated by Museums Galleries Scotland member Tarbat Historic Trust has been announced as Best Project in the 2010 British Archaeological Awards. The awards ceremony took place yesterday at the British Museum in London.

Tarbat Historic Trust worked with York University on the award winning project entitled The Tarbat Discovery Programme. The project focussed on the firthside village of Portmahomack. Excavations revealed the first Pictish monastery dubbed ‘the Iona of the East’.

It is thought that the monastery was possibly founded originally by St. Columba (or St. Columcille) on his expedition up the Great Glen in 565AD to meet the king of the
Picts somewhere near Inverness. The archaeologists working on the project found that by the 8th century the area was flourishing, with workshops making vellum for books and sacred vessels of bronze and silver.

Tarbat Discovery Centre which is the museum run by the Trust and is sited on the original monastic site has displays telling the story of the monastery and the stories behind some of the archaeological finds.

Museums Galleries Scotland congratulate Tarbat Discovery Centre on achieving this fantastic accolade at the 2010 British Archaeological Awards.

ENDS

Anthony Watson, Chairman, Tarbat Historic Trust
T.01862871351
E. info@tarbat-discovery.co.uk

For further information on the British Archaeological Awards visit http://www.britarch.ac.uk/awards/

Published
20th Jul 2010

Region
Highland
National

Publisher
MGS