Iron Age chain discovery hailed

The chain will be put on display to the public

A 2,000-year-old bronze Iron Age chain has been discovered during work in Scatness.

The chain, with 20 double links and the remains of possibly the clasp, was recovered from a roundhouse wall by the Shetland Amenity Trust.

The chain is described as extremely well preserved and adds to the jewellery and other metal artefacts found at the site.

Shetland Archaeologist Val Turner said: "This discovery is quite rare."

'Rich culture'

She added: "If it wasn't for the broken clasp it would be almost fit to wear today."

Jimmy Moncrieff, general manager of the Shetland Amenity Trust, said: "This is further proof of the rich material culture and metal working skills centred in and around Scatness 2,000 years ago.

"It helps to emphasise the importance of the site as the gateway to understanding the Iron Age in Shetland."

The chain will be taken to the University of Bradford for conservation before it can be put on display to the public.