Recently, I had the privilege of guiding a client on an extraordinary journey to uncover the whereabouts of Ava’s Cist, an ancient burial site that dates back 4,250 years. Ava, a bronze-age woman in her early 20s, was buried in a stone cist adorned with a beaker at Achavanich, a site rich in history and significance.
The Achavanich burial site first came to light in 1987 when roadworkers made a remarkable discovery. Further excavations took place in 1997 and 1998, revealing invaluable insights about Ava and her time. The story gained renewed attention in 2014 through a research project led by Maya Hoole, funded by The Antiquaries of Scotland, which focused on this compelling archaeological site.
After doing some research I discovered an 8-digit grid reference, this led us to the precise location of Ava’s burial pit. As my client stood there, the emotional weight of the moment was palpable. With DNA evidence confirming her as a direct descendant of Ava, she felt an intimate connection to the past. I stepped back to allow her some solitude, letting her reflect on this profound link to her ancestry.
The insights gathered from Ava’s skeleton provided compelling parallels to my client’s own family, revealing characteristics and medical similarities among her female relatives. Perhaps the most stunning revelation was a facial reconstruction that bore a striking resemblance to my client’s daughter, creating an even deeper sense of connection across generations.
Having read the research papers on the find I noticed that the beaker had, at one time been in the local museum in Thurso. I contacted them and was informed that, indeed they did have a grave beaker. Our exploration continued at the Heritage Museum, where we sought to find the beaker that accompanied Ava’s burial. While they did have a beaker it was not the one from Ava’s grave. We could only locate a photograph of the beaker from the excavation, the image served as a powerful reminder of the artifacts that tell stories of our past. Though we didn’t find the physical object, the experience only heightened our appreciation for the historical context surrounding Ava’s life.
During our trip, we also took the opportunity to visit the nearby Achavanich standing stones and burial site, immersing ourselves in the surrounding landscape that has witnessed centuries of history. These ancient stones added an additional layer of wonder to our journey, reminding us of the many stories still waiting to be uncovered.
Now back in the United States, my client is eager to continue her exploration of Ava’s story. She plans to reach out to Maya Hoole to discuss her family’s connection to Ava and explore further possibilities for understanding her heritage.
This journey to uncover Ava’s past was not just a quest for historical knowledge; it was a heartfelt pilgrimage that bridged the gap between time and lineage. Ava’s story, encapsulated in her burial site at Achavanich, is a testament to our shared human experience and the connections that bind us across generations.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achavanich_Beaker_Burial for more details.
