In the quaint Scottish town of Fife, the year 1952 witnessed an ordinary schoolboy’s engagement in the rather mundane task of assisting a gardener with potato digging. Little did he know that beneath the earth’s surface lay an extraordinary secret—a 4,000-year-old Egyptian masterpiece. Initially mistaken for a mere potato, this chance discovery marked the inception of a captivating saga of findings spanning over three decades. A total of 18 Egyptian antiquities emerged from the grounds of Melville House, nestled near Monimail in Fife, all of which now find their home in the prestigious National Museums Scotland (NMS).
The inaugural discovery in 1952, a mid-12th dynasty red sandstone statue head, took on newfound significance under the keen eye of Cyril Aldred, an Egyptologist at the Royal Scottish Museum (now part of NMS). Subsequent revelations included the unearthing of an Egyptian bronze votive statuette in 1966 and the serendipitous discovery of an ancient Egyptian bronze figurine of a man in 1984.
Melville House, initially serving as the residence for Dalhousie School, underwent a kaleidoscope of transformations throughout the years, eventually becoming a residential school for young offenders until 1998. Dr. Elizabeth Goring, the esteemed curator of Mediterranean archaeology at the museum, emerged as a pivotal figure in unraveling the enigmatic story behind these buried treasures. While her meticulous research confirmed the existence of a once-hidden collection within Melville House, the circumstances that led to the burial of these objects remained shrouded in mystery.
The fascinating discoveries, meticulously documented in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, propel forth a cascade of inquiries regarding the artifacts’ origins. A compelling theory emerges, suggesting that Alexander, Lord Balgonie, the property’s heir, might have acquired these treasures during his sojourn to Egypt in 1856. The decision to inter these artifacts underground could be linked to a tapestry of emotions—grief and perhaps superstitions, especially considering Lord Balgonie’s untimely demise in 1857.
At the heart of this captivating narrative stands the sandstone head, a significant piece measuring 110mm in height. Now an esteemed feature in the NMS display, Dr. Margaret Maitland, the principal curator of the Ancient Mediterranean at NMS, lauds it as an “extraordinary masterpiece” bearing profound significance within the intricate tapestry of Egyptian culture.
