4500 years young

I was in Mid Argyll today , holding a surgery in Lochgilphead. Afterwards I went up to Kilmartin Glen and specifically to Kilmartin House Museum where the Curator, Dr Sharon Webb, wanted to introduce me to the new Development Officer and the new Chair of her Trustees.

She had another introduction to do too. When I arrived she took me to the library in the old house and , very carefully, took out of a nondescript brown cardboard box this extraordinary item, the centre piece of the Upper Largie Assemblage.

Discovered in 2005 by Roddy Regan of AOC Archeology in the Upper Largie quarry just across the Glen from the Museum, the assemblage consists of 4 whole vessels, many fragments and some human skeletal remains.

Under the Treasure Trove Scottish rules the assemblage has just been awarded to the museum and this wonderful piece will , eventually , go on display there. It is a Bronze Age Footed Food Vessel, made probably of local clay and unique in Scotland. It shows Irish influence in the decoration and Yorkshire influence in the style, particularly the feet.

It is quite an emotional experience to contemplate up close such a thing. 4500 years ago it was being used, for some ritual or practical purpose, almost exactly where I was standing with it today. What a time has passed and yet it looks and indeed seems so immediate - in conception and presence.

It was a great privilege to have been allowed such a glimpse. No wonder Kilmartin Glen - museum and landscape - is one of my favourite places!