‘Lost kingdom’ from the Dark Ages is unearthed in Scotland

A site in Galloway in Scotland may have been the heart of a Dark Ages kingdom lost for more than a thousand years.

Researchers working at Trusty’s Hill Fort now believe that the site may have been the royal seat for the sixth century kingdom of Rheged.

Rheged was considered to be ‘pre-eminent among the kingdoms of the north’ – and had previously been believed to be in Cumbria, a new book argues.

MORE: Giant otters the size of WOLVES roamed the planet six million years ago

MORE: Three puppies found after surviving FIVE DAYS trapped in Italy avalanche hotel

Dr Christopher Bowles said, ‘The new archaeological evidence from Trusty’s Hill enhances our perception of power, politics, economy and culture at a time when the foundations for the kingdoms of Scotland, England and Wales were being laid.

‘This was a place of religious, cultural and political innovation whose contribution to culture in Scotland has perhaps not been given due recognition.

‘ The archaeological context revealed by our excavation instead indicates the carvings relate to a royal stronghold and place of inauguration for the local Britons of Galloway around AD 600.

‘The new archaeological evidence suggests that Galloway may have been the heart of the lost Dark Age kingdom of Rheged, a kingdom that was in the late sixth century pre-eminent amongst the kingdoms of the north.”