Hair sample dating back 2,000 years found in South Ronaldsay

Archaeologists working at a dig in South Ronaldsay may have uncovered human hair dating back 2,000 years.

Martin Carruthers, site director at the Cairns Broch dig, says that this discovery could be groundbreaking and that tests are now underway to establish whether or not the sample, found in an Iron Age well, is human.

“It could tell us an awful lot about the diet  and health of people living in Orkney 2,000 years ago,” he explained.

“if it is human hair of about 8-10cm in length, then that could tell us 8-10 months worth of dietary information.”