Pictish throne reproduced

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- National Museum of Scotland researchers have built what they hope is an accurate reproduction of a wooden throne used by Pictish leaders 1,000 years ago.

The throne was shown to the public for the first time Thursday, The Scotsman reported.

Carvings of the thrones have survived but none of the actual seats.

Designing and building the throne took a year of work, wood from five trees and about 10,000 pounds ($16,5000). The Glenmorangie Whisky Co. has funded a three-year project to try to bring ancient Scottish objects back to life.

The Picts were a group of tribes living in what is now eastern and northern Scotland on the fringe of the Roman Empire. They died out by 1000 A.D.

Alice Blackwell, the researcher in charge of the project, said the team is moving on to the leather satchels Picts used to protect important documents. Those are known only from a few surviving shreds.