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Archaeologists have digitally reconstructed a Roman plate based on two original fragments which are thought to have been buried at a hill in Scotland more than 1,500 years ago.

The pieces of the plate, both from the rim, were found with a hoard of Roman hacksilver at Traprain Law, near Haddington in East Lothian, in 1919.

A research team used laser scanning to make what they believe is an accurate, full-size reconstruction of the dish, based on the curve and appearance of the surviving fragments.

With a 70cm diameter, it is believed to be one of the largest known dishes from across the whole of the Roman Empire, and would have been a “high status” object.

The reconstruction for National Museums Scotland was undertaken as part of the Glenmorangie Research Project, supporting the study and understanding of Early Medieval Scotland (AD300-AD900).

Football brain

Top football players have brains that are wired to anticipate the moves of their opponents, scientists have discovered.

The research may explain why stars such as Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo are so good at intercepting the ball. It suggests that experienced players develop a mental ability that makes them less likely to fall for decep-tive moves.

Scientists tested 39 footballers using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scanner, and found that experienced football players were more attuned to the actions and deceptive ploys of the opponent than novices.

Baby driver

A six-year-old girl crashed her mother’s car while trying to drive across town to visit her father.

The mother was apparently asleep when the girl took the car keys in Pittsburgh.

A police spokesman said the girl was tall for her age, but added: “How she knew how to operate a car – your guess is as good as mine.”