Iron Age chariot wheel unearthed at golf course

The remains of an Iron Age chariot wheel have been discovered at the site of a new Highland golf course.

Archaeologists made the find in a pit used for cremations thousands of years ago.

Flint tools and evidence of at least 25 Neolithic wooden buildings were also uncovered during excavations at the site of the new Old Petty championship golf course, near Inverness.

Avon Archaeology Highland described the discovery of the chariot wheel as "rare".

A 3,500-year-old Bronze Age cremation urn and evidence of medieval field systems and grain-drying kilns were among other finds.

Archaeologists said the discoveries "painted a picture" of ceremonial practices and farming life in the area from about 6,000 years ago through to the Middle Ages, which ended about 500 years ago.

The finds are to be radiocarbon dated and documented before being handed over to museums in Inverness and Edinburgh.

Andy Young, principal archaeologist at Avon Archaeology Highland, said the wheel was the most important of the discoveries.

Mr Young told BBC Scotland News: "They are such a rare thing.

"None of us had really seen one before in terms of physically excavating one.

"We were a bit bemused."

Mr Young said he initially thought it was a piece of equipment buried by a farmer in more recent times.

"I was initially a bit dismissive," he said.

The remains were found in a cremation burial pit inside a palisade circle, an area enclosed by a fence made of wooden posts.

The archaeologists believe the wheel was placed in the pit as part of a ceremony.

Similar finds have been made in England.

Mr Young said it was believed to be the first item from a chariot to be discovered in the Highlands, and one of only about five for the whole of Scotland.

Almost 25 years ago, a chariot was found buried at Newbridge in Edinburgh.

In 2008, archaeologists uncovered a small - but vital - clue to the use of a chariot about 40 miles (64km) away at Birnie, near Elgin.

The piece for a horse harness was found during an archaeological dig at an Iron Age site.

Golf course company Cabot is developing the new site.

Stuart McColm, vice-president of golf development, said: "It's humbling to think that our new championship course, Old Petty, will rest on such historically rich ground."