Mysterious Animal Bones Discovered Near Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh Prompt Investigation

EDINBURGH, Scotland — November 30, 2025 — A collection of animal bones was uncovered near Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh following a wildfire that burned through part of Holyrood Park in August, officials said. The remains, found on Crow Hill, include bones from multiple species such as cattle, horse, sheep or goat, and possibly cat, according to Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

Park rangers discovered the bones during a routine patrol after the wildfire, which authorities said is still under investigation. Although the bones were found over the summer, the discovery was only publicly disclosed in November. Archaeologists responded promptly to assess and remove the remains for further study.

HES described the find as unusual and potentially significant due to the number and variety of bones, noting that the remains do not appear to be part of a larger archaeological feature. An HES spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the bones are likely post-medieval, but no precise dating has been established yet. Specialists plan to conduct radiocarbon dating to determine the age of the bones and to better understand why they were deposited in this location.

The spokesperson added that the area around Crow Hill was likely used for grazing in the past, consistent with much of Holyrood Park’s history. However, since the bones are from various species and are not complete skeletons, there is no clear connection to sheep grazing specifically.

Crow Hill is situated near a prehistoric hill fort that once encompassed the summits of both Crow Hill and Arthur’s Seat, highlighting the archaeological richness of the area. HES emphasized that Holyrood Park remains a landscape with much of its history yet to be uncovered, and ongoing research continues to reveal new insights about its past.

The discovery adds to a series of notable archaeological findings in Scotland over the past year. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the wildfire that exposed the bones on August 10.