Making The Bronze Age

Inspired by the excavation of the 3,000 year old Carpow logboat, the Trust organised a special weekend event to celebrate with the public Bronze Age technology and crafts.

Held in Perth in June 2010 as part of Perthshire Archaeology Month, the event offered free access to the public, who were encouraged to take part in the activities wherever possible.


The demonstrations included ancient wood-working, whereby expert Damian Goodburn, led a group to make a replica of the early Iron Age figurine from Ballachulish. Trust staff had previously felled an alder tree, again using authentic replica late bronze age tools in preparation for the carving of the 5 foot tall figure.

Dying of fibres, using natural materials, spinning, weaving and basketry were demonstrated by specialists from Twist Fibre, The Scottish Crannog Centre and Archaeolink. Late Bronze Age swords, of a type found along the river Tay, were cast in clay moulds by expert Neil Burridge and master potter Graham Taylor led a series of workshops to make and fire prehistoric pottery.

The event brought together top experimental archaeologists from across the UK, who were joined by German re-enactment group Stamm Alauni.

Please do browse the image gallery to the right to see the highlights of the weekend.