Skip to main content

Archaeologists find “ancient Unicorn fossils” in a remote area of the Scottish Highlands

The fossils appear relatively intact, although the spiraled horn may have been lost or removed on some. The exact location of the find has not yet been disclosed, as further excavations of the area are planned.

Illustrating images

The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead.

The unicorn was depicted in ancient seals of the Indus Valley Civilization and was mentioned by the ancient Greeks in accounts of natural history. The Bible also describes an animal, the re’em, which some versions translate as unicorn.

The fossils appear to be relatively intact

Unicorns have long been associated with Scottish history, and is one of it’s national animals. The royal coat of arms of the United Kingdon features a Unicorn in reference to this.



There has been speculation as to why this animal is so widely featured in Scottish history (Why is the Unicorn Scotland’s national animal), although no real conclusive records or evidence exists.

Remains of other Unicorn species have been reported recently (Siberian Unicorn), and this has led to speculation that Unicorns have been extinct for far less time than previously believed.