Map of Object Finds
This map shows part of the battlefield. It was surveyed using metal detectors by archaeologists in 2005. They unearthed a large number of items – bullets, personal items such as buckles and buttons, and parts of weapons. The map shows where each item was found. Looking at these, it becomes possible to reconstruct some of the events of the battle – for example, the area of the hand-to-hand fighting is shown by the area where most items were found. This map is also reproduced on a wall in the Visitor Centre, above a display case containing many of the found items.

Pupils can:

• see if they can identify the area of fiercest hand-to-hand fighting
• discuss why more objects were found there (items pulled and slashed off as men struggle with each - other; more men actually gathering on this spot than any other)
• look at where the pistol shots were found and what this tells us about the way pistols were used (at - very close quarters)
• discuss where the artillery fire items (i.e. cannonballs, parts of mortars, grapeshot) were found – - surprisingly close to the Government line, suggesting that the Jacobites were bombarded as they charged. The pattern also suggests that there was some mis-firing, as they are so close to the government lines. The Jacobites only fired cannonballs, so the mortar fragments and grape and canister shot must have come from the Government’s own guns.
• discuss what the roughly-circular shape empty of all finds close to the Government line could mean – - one interpretation is that here is where dead or wounded bodies were piling up, preventing any bullets from reaching the ground. Another suggestion is that this was where a grave pit was dug, and the debris was cleared from this area beforehand.
• discuss the limitations of this kind of evidence – this ground has been ploughed over as farmland - since the battle, meaning that many objects will be misplaced.

Click here to download the Resource Bank PDF