12 May 2014 Last updated at 17:09
Archaeologists said the find sheds new lights on human habitation of the area in the Middle Ages
A bone from an extinct bird known as "Scotland's dodo" has been uncovered following an archaeological dig in East Lothian.
The bone from the Great Auk, a species last seen in British waters on St Kilda in 1840, was recovered at the Kirk Ness site, now known as North Berwick.
It was unearthed during a dig at the Scottish Seabird Centre.
Archaeologists said the find sheds new lights on human habitation of the area in the Middle Ages.
The archaeological dig, by Edinburgh-based Addyman Archaeology, and supported by Historic Scotland, revealed bones of butchered seals, fish and seabirds, including the bone of the Great Auk.
The upper arm bone of the flightless bird was unearthed at the entrance area of an early building and has been radio carbon dated to the 5th to 7th Centuries.
The seabird was a favoured food source in medieval times as it was easy to catch.
No comments:
Post a Comment