'Ancient Scottish natives were black' claims children's book in bizarre diversity drive

In the work, Picts, who lived in northeast Scotland from 300AD to 900AD, are portrayed as multiracial - with black monks, bishops, religious healers and ordinary villagers.

Creators of "Carved in Stone: A Storyteller's Guide to the Picts" are even considering the possibility of giving free copies of the book to schools and libraries.

Those behind the book said: "We're proud to bring together some of Scotland's leading archaeologists, with a host of queer, marginalised and disabled voices to dispel misconceptions of the past."

Initially pitched in 2021, at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, the book has since been partly financed by the taxpayer through the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

The book was originally planned as a role-playing game - but after the switch, will now be made available to the public free of charge.

It said it aims to show "the land that is now Scotland was just as multicultural, multilingual and socially diverse as it is today".

It is believed the ancient Picts inhabited Scotland from the late Iron Age until the around the 10th century AD.

Most historians agree the name "Picts" comes from the Latin term "Picti" meaning "painted people".

It is thought this name was given to them by the Romans who observed the tattoos and body paintings which were common among the tribes.

Originally existing in small kingdoms, the Picts were unified into a single people around the late seventh century.

Nowadays, the Picts are known not only for their tattooed bodies, but also their skilled craftmanship when creating intricately carved stone monuments.

In 2023, a genetic study was published which showed Picts to be descended from ancient Iron Age populations who had live in Britain for generations.

The same study also showed a clear genetic continuity between the Picts and modern-day Scots in the northeast of the country.

Despite the genetic evidence, activists have long pushed the idea that Britain is historically diverse.

A 2023 children's book entitled "Brilliant Black British History" claimed that black people built Stonehenge.

Nigerian-born British author Atinuke claimed in the work that "Britain was a black country for more than 7,000 years before white people came".

The publication went on to win the Children's Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards.