A bronze age ritual cremation cemetery has been discovered by archaeologists working at a planned spaceport in Scotland.
The discovery was made at the SaxaVord spaceport site on the Lamba Ness peninsula in Unst, Shetland while foundation work was carried out.
It is believed the remains are from a bronze age ritual cremation cemetery after pits, large boulders and cremations were uncovered alongside a quartz setting, which is generally associated with prehistoric burial tombs.
Excavation is still in its early stages, but archaeologists believe the remains date to between 2200-1800 BC.
The discovery will offer archaeologists a fresh opportunity to study prehistoric inhabitants of Shetland, and will not hold back the development of the spaceport.
Shetland’s regional archaeologist, Dr Val Hunter, said: “I’ve always suspected that some of Shetland’s rings of boulders and low stones found could in fact be bronze age cremation cemeteries, so it is hugely exciting to be proved right.
“The bronze age is perhaps the period of Shetland’s past which we know least about and this is a wonderful opportunity to change that. With the modern techniques available now, we can potentially find out far more about the individuals who lived and died here than we could have discovered even 20 years ago.
“Hats off to the archaeologists from AOC who spotted this in the watching brief.”
The discovery was welcomed by SaxaVord chief executive Frank Strang, who said the spaceport would work with archaeologists in their excavation.
Hellbound and Down 