Once a year, experts from National Museums Scotland excavate the site at Birnie – one of the most significant locations of its kind in Britain.

Now amateurs will get to learn more about its hidden treasures when the archaeologists stage an open day on Sunday, September 7.

There will be tours – one for adults and another for children – running throughout the day. The activities aimed at youngsters will be at 11am, 2pm and 3pm, while the adults start at 10am and run every two hours. As well as exploring the past, visitors will be given the opportunity to produce pre-historic arts and crafts.

The digs at Birnie have been taking place for many years – all funded by the National Museum Scotland – and the team of archaeologists is particularly keen to further explore what ­remains of a house there.

Two hoards of coins, found in 2000 and 2001, are the most important finds to be made at the location. It is believed they were ­buried during the reign of Emperor Severus, and paid to local chieftains as bribes to keep the peace.

The coins are now on display in Elgin Museum along with other artefacts, including whetstones and glass beads, which were found last year.

Fraser Hunter, principal curator of the Iron Age and Roman collection at the National Museum, said: "We look forward to welcoming people at the open day and sharing the story of this fascinating site.

"Each year, we uncover more pieces of the puzzle, which helps us to gain a clearer picture of what life was like for people in Scotland at a time of turmoil on the Roman frontier."

People who are not able to visit the open day can learn more about the ­Birnie settlement in a National Museums of Scotland website – www.nms.ac.uk/iron-age-scotland – which goes live next week.

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