A Scottish museum is conserving an almost 3,000-year-old Bronze Age hoard that experts say is unlike anything seen before, revealing a "magical" silver sheen as its secrets gradually emerge.
The Peebles Hoard, discovered by a metal detectorist in 2020, contains more than 500 unusual bronze and organic objects, many of which have no known archaeological parallels anywhere in the world.
Dating from 1,000 to 800 BC, the hoard includes two rattle pendants, a sword encased in a wooden scabbard, and bronze buttons strung on cords, highlighting the diversity and craftsmanship of the collection.
Conservation work at the National Museums Scotland (NMS) has uncovered rare silver-coloured surfaces on several objects, a striking effect achieved despite the fact that silver itself was unknown at the time.
Analysis has shown that the sheen is caused by a high concentration of tin on the surfaces, thought to be the result of deliberate enrichment techniques employed by highly skilled Bronze Age craftspeople.
This unusual finish adds a remarkable visual quality to the hoard, making the objects appear almost otherworldly. The hoard was allocated to NMS in 2024 through the Treasure Trove legal process.
Extracted from the ground in a single block, it was excavated under controlled laboratory conditions at the NMS Collection Centre in Edinburgh to ensure the delicate items were preserved.
Bethan Bryan, the conservator working on the hoard, described the moment the silver finish appeared as revealing a 3,000-year-old secret. "Working on the conservation of the Peebles Hoard is a rare privilege and definitely a career highpoint," she said.
"As well as removing dirt and corrosion, it is essential that we preserve as much precious organic material as possible for future research.
"Getting to this point has been a challenging and incredibly time-intensive process, but the moment the silvery surface began to emerge was magical, a secret revealed after 3,000 years."
The function of many of the hoard's objects remains unknown, although some are believed to have adorned horses or wooden vehicles.
The tin-enriched surfaces would have added significant visual impact, signalling status and wealth in the Bronze Age, and highlighting the sophistication of the craftspeople responsible for creating them.
Dr Matthew Knight, senior curator of prehistory at NMS, said the objects' appearance was extraordinary. "The Peebles Hoard is truly a one-of-a-kind discovery, and I have never seen anything like the stunning, silver-coloured finish of these Bronze Age objects.
"They almost glow. Thanks to the generous support of our donors we are making significant progress. However, there is more to be done to prevent further deterioration of these fragile objects and continue our research to uncover more of the hoard's secrets."
The National Museums Scotland estimates that conservation will take three years to complete.
The work is being supported by the Leche Trust, the Pilgrim Trust, and a number of private trusts and donors, ensuring that this remarkable hoard will be preserved for future generations and continue to reveal insights into Bronze Age Scotland.