the earliest documented tartan in britain, known as the "falkirk" tartan, dates from the 3rd century ad. it was uncovered at falkirk in stirlingshire, scotland, about 400 metres north-west of the antonine wall. the fragment was stuffed into the mouth of an earthenware pot containing almost 2,000 roman coins. the falkirk tartan has a simple check design, of natural light and dark wool. early forms of tartan like this are thought to have been invented in pre-roman times, and would have been popular among the inhabitants of the northern roman provinces as well as in other parts of northern europe such as jutland, where the same pattern was prevalent.