A planned housing development in Guardbridge, Fife, has revealed an astonishing archaeological discovery, nearly 12,000 years of human history unearthed in a single field. Excavations uncovered evidence from almost every major prehistoric and historic era, from Late Upper Paleolithic flint tools to Mesolithic camps, Neolithic farms, Bronze Age sword-making, and an Iron Age fort.
Discovery in Guardbridge
Before construction could begin, developers were required by the Fife Council to carry out an archaeological survey. Guard Archaeology, tasked with the excavation, reported that the site contained layer upon layer of historical remains. “Indeed, we had found what was functionally the whole prehistory of Fife in one field,” the team wrote.
From Paleolithic to Mesolithic
At the very bottom layers of soil, archaeologists uncovered a scatter of flints dating back to around 10,000 B.C., marking the activity of some of the region’s earliest inhabitants. Evidence of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer life soon followed, including a fire pit radiocarbon-dated between 4320 and 4051 B.C., alongside burnt lithics arranged in a star-shaped pattern, believed to indicate temporary shelters used during hunting and fishing trips.
Neolithic Farming Remains
The Neolithic era brought the first farming communities to the region, and excavations revealed their presence. Archaeologists uncovered multiple pits containing burnt cereal grains, pottery shards, and saddle querns, clear signs of early agriculture and food processing across the site.
Bronze Age Roundhouses
The first substantial homes discovered were roundhouses from the Bronze Age, filled with pottery shards and animal bones. The excavation also revealed rare metalworking activity, including casting molds for a sword blade and a socketed gouge used in carpentry. One striking detail: flint knapping marks near the porch of a roundhouse, suggesting toolmaking took place right at the entrance.
A Fort Through the Ages
Although previously linked to the Iron Age, archaeologists concluded the fort was originally built in the Late Bronze Age and remained in use well into the Iron Age. Its inhabitants left behind spindle whorls and loom weights showing textile production, while fragments of shale bracelets hinted at personal adornment. The fort stood as a central hub for centuries of settlement activity.
Medieval Structures Found
The discoveries did not end with ancient history. Excavation also revealed medieval corn-drying kilns, confirming that by the Middle Ages, the Guardbridge site was still being adapted for agricultural production. These layers of use demonstrate the site’s continuous importance to communities over thousands of years.