Rare Iron Age Chariot Wheel Found Near Inverness

Archaeological excavations at the future Old Petty Championship Golf Course near Inverness, Scotland, have uncovered significant artifacts spanning from the Neolithic to the Iron Age and medieval periods. Key finds include a rare Iron Age chariot wheel, believed to be the first discovered in the Scottish Highlands and dating to around 200 BCE, as well as a 3,500-year-old Bronze Age cremation urn, flint tools, and at least 25 Neolithic wooden buildings. Evidence of continuous human activity includes medieval grain-drying kilns, field systems, and quern stones. The chariot wheel, initially mistaken for a more recent object, has been identified by experts as an exceptional artifact requiring advanced blacksmithing skills. Preservation efforts include recording all finds and adjusting golf course fairway designs to protect important features, such as ceremonial post circles. The collaboration is being praised as a model for balancing heritage preservation with development.