Prehistoric Village and Ancient Chariot Wheel Unearthed Beneath Future Scottish Golf Course

Talk about an unexpected hole-in-one for history buffs: Archaeologists digging at the site of the future Old Petty Championship Golf Course near Inverness, Scotland, have uncovered a prehistoric village, complete with a rare chariot wheel that's been waiting around for a few thousand years to be noticed.

The team from Avon Archaeology Highland stumbled onto a treasure trove that includes a Bronze Age cremation urn—estimated to be about 3,500 years old—alongside flint tools and quern stones used for grinding grains. It seems the past was hiding just below par.

Remnants of at least 25 Neolithic-era wooden buildings were also discovered, painting a vivid picture of ancient life in the Scottish Highlands, from ceremonial customs to early farming. So, before golfers start lining up their shots, they might want to pay respects to the region’s first residents—who probably wouldn’t recognize a sand trap if it hit them.

Cabot's vice president of golf development, Stuart McColm, called the discovery a "remarkable journey from pre-historic times to the present." He emphasized that the new championship course will rest on "historically rich ground," and promised to preserve this ancient heritage while building a world-class experience for players.

The archaeologists have even taken steps to protect a prehistoric ceremonial circle, carefully reburying it right where it was found. Andy Young, principal archaeologist at Avon Archaeology Highland, praised the developers for their commitment to preserving history amid modern construction, calling it a "model for responsible development." If only every building project took a page from that playbook.

Experts are now busy analyzing and dating the remains, with a full report expected when the golf course officially opens. This find joins a string of fascinating archaeological discoveries across the UK in 2025, including a cache of Iron Age objects and hundreds of medieval skeletons found beneath a university campus. The British Isles are clearly not done surprising us, whether you're wielding a trowel or a nine-iron.