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Dr Matthew Knight said the shield would have belonged to someone of high status
A Bronze Age shield found in a peat bog has been returned to Scotland for the first time in more than 230 years.
The "spectacular and intricate" combat guard was discovered during labouring work in a field in Beith, North Ayrshire, in about 1779 and was presented to the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1791 where it has remained since.
It has now been loaned to the National Museum of Scotland (NMS) for the first time as part of an exhibition entitled "Scotland's First Warriors," which is due to open this summer.
The shield will join five others from the time period in the exhibition, which experts have described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity.
The Bronze Age in Scotland spans a 1,400-year period from about 2,200 BC to about 800 BC.
It covers the early production of bronze – a copper and tin alloy – up to the first uses of iron.
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The shield is thought to have taken damage from a spear
The shield, which measures about 60-70cm (23-27in) in diameter, is decorated with hammered bosses and ribs.
It features damage from a spear and other weaponry, meaning it was likely to have been used in some form of battle.
According to historical records, the shield was found buried upright in peat alongside six others – though the whereabouts of those remains unclear.
Dr Matthew Knight, senior curator of prehistory at NMS, said it was unclear why the shield was buried in this way, but its unique design indicated it belonged to someone of "high status".
He said: "We know that because they're so hard to make and they're quite rare objects, whoever owned it was probably someone quite special.
"When you think about the idea that it was one of five or six that were buried in a bog, it makes you think that there must have been this group of high-status people who came together to bury their shields together.
"We can only speculate about what that sort of ceremony might have been like, or what the meaning behind it would have been, where maybe this was a group of communities who were giving up their defensive objects. Perhaps it was a sign of peace."
Other shields discovered in the Borders and Aberdeenshire in the 19th Century will go on display alongside the Beith shield as part of the exhibition.
Curators laid them all out together for the first time and looked at similarities and differences.
Dr Knight said most of the shields looked very similar, potentially suggesting they were made by the same craftsperson or workshop.
However, while wooden or leather shields were more common in those times, rare bronze ones were used not only for defence but also symbolised the status of the warriors they belonged to.
Dr Knight added: "Bronze shields from this period are exceptional to Britain and by bringing all six of these incredibly rare shields together, we can gain a deeper understanding of life and conflict in Bronze Age Scotland and beyond.
"It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The exhibition in Edinburgh explores thousands of years of history, from the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the coming of the Romans.
The four shields will be on display along with internationally significant archaeological discoveries from across Scotland, such as the Carnoustie Hoard - which includes a rare spearhead decorated with gold, and a bronze sword in a wooden scabbard, dating from around 1120-920 BC.
The exhibition opens on 27 June and is due to run until May 2027.
Alexandra Ault, head of collections at the Society of Antiquaries of London, said: "We are delighted to lend the Beith shield to the National Museums of Scotland.
"This loan marks the first time in over 235 years the shield has been back to Scotland and is an exciting opportunity to see it alongside other important Scottish Bronze Age artefacts."
