• Collection of bullets were found at Burnswark Hill, in Dumfries, Scotland
• The bullets had tiny holes in, which made them whistle as they flew
• A sling bullet or stone could reach speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
• Researchers hope to find evidence of previous campaigns in Israel by Quintus Lollius Urbicus who was tasked with conquering Scotland
Archaeologists have trekked to Israel in the hope of finding evidence linking an ancient Roman ruler to a military siege in Scotland.We knew most of this already, including fact that Quintus Lollius Urbicus was in charge of the Roman defeat of the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Background here. But this is exciting news:
Earlier this year, a collection of whistling bullets used 1,800 years ago by the Romans to incite fear into their enemies were found on a hill in Scotland.
The bullets had tiny holes in them that allowed them to travel through the air towards their targets while making a terrifying shrieking sound.
[...]
Now, his team is investigating a site in Israel in the hopes of linking an ancient ruler to the Roman assault on the Scottish fort.
‘Quintus Lollius Urbicus was given the job of conquering Scotland between 139 and 142 AD as part of a major imperial campaign by the Emperor Antoninus Pius, who reigned from 138 to 161 AD', Dr [John] Reid told MailOnline.
Archaeologists have trekked to Israel in the hope of finding evidence linking an ancient Roman ruler to a military siege in Scotland. The ancient ruins of Beitar (also known as Betar) are located 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) away from the modern city of Betar Illit
Dr Reid explained that the mission probably had the sole purpose of giving the emperor - a non-military man - a much-needed boost at the start of his reign.
'We're investigating Beitar in Israel where Urbicus had been stationed just prior to taking up his task in Scotland,' Dr Reid told MailOnline.
'He had been sent to Israel (ancient Judea) to brutally suppress a major Jewish uprising.
'We hope to find evidence of his previous campaigns to see if we can link him to the attack at Burnswalk Hill by looking at any similarities between the two siege scenarios.'
Dr Reid described the attack on Burnswalk Hill as 'well resourced and well funded'.
The next step is to pull together all the information into an in-depth study.
The researchers hope that this will eventually lead to further excavation at the Burnswalk Hill site.