Archaeologists have discovered bronze weapons buried on a Hebridean island and believe they could hold the key to understanding life there 3,000 years ago,

Broken swords and spearheads were found at the site during an archaeological investigation on the RSPB Scotland's nature reserve on Coll.

In total 12 objects were excavated from at least seven separate weapons.

Jill Harden, RSPB Scotland Reserves Archaeologist, said: “This is the first discovery of this size from Argyll for many years. The items were recovered from what had once been a freshwater loch. It seems that they had been purposely broken and cast into the waters as part of a ceremony, most likely as offerings or gifts to the gods or goddesses of the time. It is recorded that bronze swords were found on Coll in the 19th century during drainage works, but their whereabouts today are unknown.”

The investigation was directed by the Treasure Trove Unit in coordination with National Museums Scotland and the wildlife charity.

The Treasure Trove Unit contacted local museums who were given the opportunity to apply to acquire the weapons for their collections. They have since been handed over to Kilmartin Museum in Argyll for ongoing conservation and care.

Trevor Cowie, of National Museums Scotland’s Department of Scottish History & Archaeology, said: “While a fair number of objects from this period have been discovered in the west of Scotland in the past, we generally know very little about the precise places where they were found. Archaeological techniques have developed dramatically since those 19th century discoveries were made, so we have a great opportunity here to resolve many unanswered questions about life on Coll some 3,000 years ago.”

An event is being held today and tomorrow at the community centre, An Cridhe, on the Isle of Coll to enable people to see the finds.

Jill Harden added: “It is expected that a consortium of local interests, universities and museums will come together to reveal the full history of these objects in time. However, their story is much broader than that of the items themselves. We should be able to reveal what Coll’s landscape was like in the past, how much it has altered over time, and whether there were contemporary environmental stresses that meant people resorted to making offerings to the gods in the hope of change.”