3,500-year-old basket excavated on scottish island

2/2. The basket was uncovered by the tide in an area affected by erosion

An artefact thought to be 3,500 years old that was uncovered by the tide on a Western Isles beach has been excavated before being washed away.

The prehistoric basket was discovered in an area of shoreline where the sea has been eroding the land at Baleshare in North Uist.

Archaeologists have managed to remove the object with help from the local community.
It will be examined by AOC Archaeology Group.

The basket appears to contain animal bones covered in a layer of quartz pebbles.

Deborah Anderson, regional archaeologist with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said it could prove to be a historically valuable find.

She said: "I'm delighted the rescue was successful.

"The archaeologists were brilliant and the local community were so helpful, we couldn't have done it without them."

Many well preserved ancient artefacts have been discovered at other sites on North Uist in the past.

From the Bronze Age, finds have included a skeleton and from the Iron Age evidence of metal work.

Also, from the Iron Age are the remains of homes dubbed Jelly Baby houses because the shape of them looked like the sweets. bbc.com/