Latest News

In light of the recent claims of author Terry Deary, a design similar to the Ilkley Moor Swastika Stone has surfaced on rocks near Brisbane, Australia.

The design is etched into the face of a small boulder and measures 1090mm in height and 970mm in width. It closely resembles the design of the ‘Camunian Rose’ motif (based on a cross of nine cups surrounded by an interweaving groove), found in Valcomonica, Northern Italy.

The Swastika, sometimes known as the Fylfot, is a widely used symbol found all over Europe and Asia. In Britain, it is thought to have been a solar symbol and a symbol of the Celtic Goddess Brigit (also known as Brig, Brid, Bride, Brigantia and the christianised St Bridgit), but was previously unknown in Australia.

It is not known how old the carving is, but was discovered by the finder two years ago.

Pics and diagram:
themodernantiquarian.com/post/28464
themodernantiquarian.com/post/28467

Source: Personal Correspondence

A major project to excavate and record the famous Wemyss caves and their ancient carvings begins today. The joint project between Fife Council and Channel 4’s Time Team is expected to last for five days and aims to preserve a wealth of information for future generations.

Although there is evidence (now lost due to cave collapse) that some of the carvings dated from as early as the bronze age, the vast majority of the carvings visible today are Pictish, probably from the 6th-9th centuries AD. They are the the largest single grouping of carvings of this date to be found anywhere in Europe. The wider archaeological significance rests on the potential of the deposits within and immediately outwith the caves to shed further light on their use over the past 4000 years.

For many years, these caves have been suffering from vandalism and erosion caused by both natural weathering and, more recently, as a result of a dramatic increase in coastal erosion. Many attempts have been made in the past to preserve them but these have only been partially successful and Fife Council decided to preserve the caves by record.

When Channel 4’s Time Team heard about the proposal, they asked if they could become involved and a partnership project was developed. Running from today until Monday, with filming taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the project consists of major excavations both inside and outside the caves conducted by the Time Team in partnership with Fife Council archaeological unit and an intensive programme of high- definition 3D laser scanning of the caves.

It is hoped the excavations will shed further light on the use and occupation of the caves, during the Pictish period when most of the carvings were produced. However, information about the caves during the bronze age, iron age and during the medieval period when they were occupied by Christian hermits should also be recovered.

Using laser scanners, the project will also produce an extremely accurate 3D measured visual record of the caves and their carvings. This information will provide a lasting record of the caves and will be used for multi-media presentations and interpretation work in Lower Methil Heritage Centre and at other Fife Council museums. It is hoped that the scanning might also discover new carvings and add increased definition to the ones already visible.

The Courier
test.thecourier.co.uk/output/2004/06/03/newsstory5982886t0.asp

Archaeologists startled to discover Neolithic ritual site – Frank Urquhart in ‘The Scotsman‘

thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=610172004

The setting for one of the most famous castles in Scotland’s North-east was first used as the site for a high-status building almost 6,000 years ago, it was revealed yesterday.

A team of archaeologists began work earlier this month at the Crathes Castle Estate, on Royal Deeside, to investigate what was thought to be the remains of a timber hall from the Dark Ages, 1,500 years ago.

But they have instead found the remains of a large Neolithic building which may have been used as a prehistoric ritual site.

The remarkable discovery was yesterday hailed as one of the most significant archeological finds made in the North east of Scotland for years.

Charlie Murray, co-director of the excavation, said: “What we discovered is highly significant and has taken everyone by surprise. This site is of huge importance and we will now have to really rethink our use of the landscape by the farmers and what they were doing in the early Neolithic period.

“Considering you are talking about 5,500 years ago, the structure we have found was massive, constructed of huge timber posts and as a big as 25 metres by up to ten metres.”

From the Wiltshire GAzette and Herald, 31 May 04
Campaigners gathered at Silbury Hill, at Avebury, on Saturday, four years after the summit collapsed, to air their concerns over its future.

Heritage Action, a group dedicated to the care of threatened and neglected prehistoric sites, believe urgent action is needed to prevent further damage.

The group wants English Heritage, which manages the site, to take heed of its rallying cry ­ fix the hill.

Avebury resident and campaigner Pete Glastonbury said: “Local people are now aware of the situation and many archaeologists are very concerned.

“The word is rapidly getting out to the wider public that nothing has been done and they’re disgusted with English Heritage’s inaction.”

Silbury Hill is the world’s largest man-made prehistoric mound.

It was built by our Neolithic ancestors 4,500 years ago and represents a work-effort that far outstrips Stonehenge or Avebury.

It is Britain’s equivalent of the Egyptian pyramids and pre-dates many of them.

On May 29, 2000 it suffered the first of a series of collapses of old excavation tunnels and a huge hole appeared at the top.

In 1974 it was fenced off in order to protect it from the erosion caused by thousands climbing it.

Earlier this month the site’s owner, Lord Avebury, told a public inquiry into the wording of the Countryside And Rights of Way Act draft legislation he was stunned the Countryside Agency wanted to label the hill as unimproved chalk grassland.

The move could lead to ramblers having free access to the hill, which opponents fear may cause damage.

From: thisiswiltshire.co.uk/wiltshire/marlborough/news/MARLB_NEWS_LOCAL2.html

Excavations at Callanish X last year which wrongly claimed this site to be a newly discovered stone circle have produced a unsightly spoil heap on the site. The position of the spoil heap is as such that it obscures the view observers would have of the valley, from the circle, where the moon re-appears during regleam thus denying the purpose of the circle. It is hoped that pressure can be brought on the relevant people to remove the spoil heap from the site.

Edited from

Edited from icNorthWales.

The Great Orme Copper Mines have won official recognition as the largest Bronze Age copper mines in the world. The category is new, making the Great Orme site the first holder of the title. Mines spokesman Nick Jowett said staff were delighted. “Finally the mine has been recognised for what it is – a world-class site of major archaeological significance. The discovery of these mines turned former ideas about Britain in the Bronze Age on their head. Twenty years ago it was thought no copper mining took place in Britain during the Bronze Age.”

The award comes after 15 years of excavation, surveying and recording along five kilo-metres of tunnels. A section of the mine is open to the public as part of the Bronze Age mining experience tours. Research is currently being carried out by experts from the University of Wales and Daresbury Laboratories, in Cheshire.

They are fingerprinting the copper from the Great Orme to determine the extent of the trade network emanating from the mine. This year DNA analysis is being carried out on human bones discovered in the mine.

27 May 2004 , from ‘This is Cornwall‘

Work to restore and repair one of West Penwith’s well-known prehistoric stone circles has neared completion, in a joint project between the county council’s Environment and Heritage Service, Defra and the Nine Maidens Commoners.

The Nine Maidens Stone Circle, on the northern fringe of Madron between Ding Dong and craggy Carn Galver, has undergone extensive works including scrub clearance, drainage improvements and footpath repair. As a final enhancement, the three long-fallen stones will be re-erected after a preliminary excavation to locate their original sockets.

When first recorded in the mid 18th century, there were 19 stones surviving of an original ring of 22.

Now, there are only 11 stones and of the surviving stones, six stand upright, two are leaning heavily and three have completely fallen.

Other prehistoric monuments surviving close to the stone circle include the stump of a standing stone and several Bronze Age barrows, as well as the famous Men an Tol.

Together they indicate that this area was an important focus in prehistoric times.

The erosion of the monument and surrounding area has been caused by visitors and trail bike users.

Paths leading into the circle had become eroded and muddy while thick gorse had grown over parts of the circle.

Ann Preston-Jones, an archaeologist from the county council’s Historic Environment Service, said: “This is a really exciting project. The Nine Maidens is a fine example of one of Cornwall’s famous stone circles, but at the moment it seems neglected and sad.

“The work will greatly improve the condition and accessibility of the site. Clearing away the gorse will make the site more visible, but restoring the fallen stones will make it look even more impressive.”

Richard Glasson, Defra’s project officer for the West Penwith Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) said: “We are pleased that the commoners have undertaken this work jointly funded by English Heritage and ourselves through an ESA conservation plan to enhance an important site for the future enjoyment of the public.”

Peak Park bosses and quarry chiefs are locked in a legal battle over the rights to extract stone from a controversial quarry where eco-warriors have been camped for four years. Planners at the National Park Authority listed Endcliffe and Lees Cross Quarries at Stanton Moor (England) as dormant because there had been no significant working in them for many years. But quarry owners are making a legal challenge in the High Court against the listing.

Park bosses say they are determined to defend the challenge, even though it could leave them with a huge legal bill, in order to uphold their primary purpose of protecting the Peak District’s special qualities. Councillor John Bull, the authority’s planning committee chairman, said the course of action is essential to reduce the risk of environmental harm to an area that is of nationally-important archaeological and historical interest. “It is absolutely crucial to establish the legal status of the quarries, as this affects our ability to impose modern working conditions on the operations based on the existing planning permission which dates back to 1952,” he added. “If we do not defend the challenge, the quarries will be deemed to be ‘active’ making it more difficult to impose any conditions to limit the effects of quarrying. “Future working could then lead to significant environmental damage and disturbance to communities living nearby.

The High Court hearing is currently taking place in London. Protesters set up camp in the quarry four years ago amid fears that new workings could create a landslip and destroy nearby Bronze Age burial grounds, including the Nine Ladies stone circle.

Source: Archaeo News (22 May 2004)

Kilmartin House Museum is an independent charitable institution established in Scotland in 1994. The impetus for the museum was the rich archaeological and ecological heritage of the area, which includes nationally important monuments such as Dunadd, a great density of prehistoric rock carvings, cairns and standing stones as well as outstanding environmental habitats.

After the initial development phase, the institution has been funded through ticket sales and income generated in the shop and café. However, as with all museums, that will never be enough. If KHM are not able to persuade national and local government bodies and other agencies of our worth, and secure further funding, the Museum will have to close. They currently receive no core funding from local or national government.

If you think it’s important that Kilmartin House Museum doesn’t close, you can help. KHM needs to persaude local and national government that the Museum is worthy of support, so you can call into the museum, sign the online petition (kilmartin.org/) or write to the Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Council: Mr James McLellan – Chief Executive Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead Argyll PA31 8RT Scotland. So that KHM can monitor support, please also copy your letter to the Curator, Dr Sharon Webb, Kilmartin House Museum, Kilmartin, Argyll, PA31 8RQ, [email protected]. The petition will be sent to Argyll and Bute Council and copies will be sent to the Scottish Executive.

Source: Archaeo News (22 May 2004)

From the Press and Journal- Aberdeenshire shaman builds a new recumbent circle with another one planned soon;
pressandjournal.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=62692&command=displayContent&sourceNode=62244&contentPK=10013530

A series of events celebrating the rich and varied archaeology of Strathearn and beyond is set to take place from May 29 until June 6.

Perthshire Archaeology Week has been organised by a consortium of local and national organisations, and receives funding from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and the Perthshire Tourist Board.

A series of illustrated talks, guided walks and other events will take place alongside two excavations, for which volunteers are still required.

The first dig will be at Innerpeffray Library, near Crieff, and will be carried out by Roman expert David Woolliscroft as he attempts to find the route of the Gask Ridge Roman road as it crossed the River Earn near Strageath Roman fort.

The second dig, organised by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and SUAT Ltd of Perth, will take place at the National Trust for Scotland’s Old Schoolhouse Cottown, near St Madoes.

For further information visit www.perthshire.co.uk/archaeologyweek or pick up at leaflet at any tourist information centre or library throughout Perthshire.

Hmmm, I wonder how much more has been found and not reported?
A day’s metal detecting has unearthed an unexpected treasure – a 4,000-year-old piece of gold.

The ornamental piece of gold is only the second piece to ever be found in the UK and the first to be discovered in Dorset.

It was found by Clive Gibbs and his metal detector in a ploughed field in Fontmell Magna in November 2002.

The precious metal has a gold content of 87 per cent and although it can’t be identified with total certainty, may have come from Ireland or France.

Claire Pinder, senior archaeologist at Dorset County Council, said: “One side of the strip is decorated with thin lines, the other side is quite plain.

“It’s meant to be decorative, maybe it would have been set into something like a wooden object or wrapped around clothing.

“It could also have been part of an earring or twisted into someone’s hair, we just don’t know.

“It probably belonged to someone wealthy or of high status. It looks flimsy but is very heavy because of its high gold content.”

The only other similar piece to be found in Britain was discovered in Oxford and sent to the British Museum in 1982.

The gold is the most significant find in Dorset recently but treasure seekers have enjoyed a run of success.

John Hinchcliffe, of Tarrant Hinton, was metal detecting on farm land at Charlton Marshall last December when he discovered a medieval silver finger ring, engraved with flowers and bearing a merchant’s mark.

And Julian Adams unearthed six Roman coins on land at Melcombe Horsey last October.

All three items were officially declared “treasure” by coroner Michael Johnston at an inquest this week and are awaiting valuation.

Published: May 21
From:
thisisdorset.net/dorset/north_dorset/news/NORTH_DORSET_NEWS_NEWS0.html

A free-entry colloquium entitled, ‘The Future in the Past: new perspectives in ancient society’, is to be held by the Manchester Interpretative Archaeology Colloquiua (ManIAC) at the University of Manchester on June 15.

A programme with abstracts and other details can be found at:
www.art.man.ac.uk/ARTHIST/maniac

Papers will explore a range of themes from the construction of Neolithic tombs in Scotland and southern Britain, Bronze Age field systems on Dartmoor, Iron Age lunar cycles, medieval conceptions of time, and archaeological problems of interpretation.

Speakers are (in alphabetical order):

Prof. John Barrett (University of Sheffield)
Conditions of Possibility and The Archaeology of Trust

Marcus Brittain (University of Manchester)
Introduction: For Why the Future in the Past, Today

Diana Coles (Birkbeck, University of London)
From Feretory to Façade: a consideration of whether the developments at an early Mediæval abbey church can shed light on the motivational forces behind the building activities at Clyde Cairns

Helen Foxhall Forbes (University of Cambridge)
Perceptions of the Future in Early Medieval England: The End of Time

Dr. Stephanie Koerner (University of Manchester)
Views Beyond the Notions of Images that Underwrite Typologies of ‘Modes of Thought.’ Implications for Research on Material Culture, Memory and Forward Thinking in the ‘Pre-modern World‘

Dr. Jodie Lewis (University College Worcester)
(Ab)Using Monuments in South-West England?

Dr. Lesley McFadyen (McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Cambridge)
FutureArchitecture

Dr. David Mullin (Gloucestershire County Council Archaeology Service)
Bugs Bunny in Disneyland

Dr. Mike Parker Pearson & Dr. Andrew Chamberlain (University of Sheffield)
Lunar Eclipse Prediction in the La Tène Period at the Fiskerton Timber Causeway

Helen Wickstead (University College London)
Intentionality and Later Prehistoric Land Division on Dartmoor

Chairs: Dr. Tim Insoll (University of Manchester) & Prof. Julian Thomas (University of Manchester)

All are welcome at what should prove to be a very interesting event.

www.art.man.ac.uk/ARTHIST/maniac

Evidence suggests that cave dwellers may have been flint mining as early as 300,000 years ago (from Nature Science);
nature.com/nsu/040517/040517-4.html

24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh/ART21824.html

24hourmuseum reports on Heritage Action’s upcoming protest and the response from English Heritage...

IAMS SUMMER SCHOOL 2004

Dear all,

It is my pleasure to announce once again the upcoming IAMS Summer
School. Our annual two-week event will treat

“Ancient Mining Technology” and “Ancient Smelting and
Metallurgy”,

and will take place from

Monday June 21 until Friday July 2 2004
at the
Institute of Archaeology
University College London
31-34 Gordon Square
London WC1H 0PY
United Kingdom

(For a map, see www.streetmap.co.uk, using the London post code WC1H
0PY).

We would like to invite you to the annual Summer School on Extractive
Mining and Metallurgy at the Institute of Archaeology in London.
Running from Monday 21 June to Friday 2 July 2004, it offers one week
on mining technology, taught by Professors Tim Shaw and Beno
Rothenberg, and one week on extractive metallurgy, taught by Beno
Rothenberg, Vince Pigott, H-G Bachmann, John Merkel and Thilo Rehren
(in chronological order of appearance...).

The Summer School is organised and sponsored by the Institute for
Archaeo-Metallurgical Studies (IAMS), aiming at students and
professionals with an interest in ancient technology and
archaeometallurgy. The admission fee covers
handouts and biscuits and a small contribution towards the costs; it is
kept low to encourage and enable student participation. Admission for
one week is GBP 75, for both weeks GBP 120 (single day attendance GBP
30).
Unfortunately, we can not provide support for accommodation or travel
costs.

Details of the programme can be found at IAMS’ webpage
ucl.ac.uk/iams, and you can contact Xander Veldhuijzen at
the Institute of Archaeology / IAMS at [email protected] for
bookings and requests.

The courses are intended for anybody interested in early mining and
metallurgy, and require no existing specialist knowledge. However,
opportunity will be given to explore specific aspects in more detail,
within the given schedule. Both weeks can be taken independently from
each other.

by Maev Kennedy of The Guardian, Monday 17 May 2004

An attempt will be made today to have a hill reclassified as a building to protect one of the most enigmatic prehistoric structures in Europe.

Ramblers may gain a theoretical entitlement to walk up the sides of Silbury Hill in Wiltshire if the largest manmade mound in Europe is classified as “open countryside” under the countryside and rights of way bill.

The highest profile objectors to the draft maps so far are celebrities including Madonna, anxious to protect their privacy.

The guardians of the 4,700-year-old hill have been trying to persuade people to keep off Silbury since 1974, when it was closed to the public, without destroying its appearance with intrusive fencing. The monument came close to destruction three years ago when torrential winter rain seeped into shafts left by earlier excavation, which collapsed. Although English Heritage has carried out repairs, the whole structure is vulnerable. Continues here...

---

And the same story here from ‘This is Bristol’ 17 May 2004
A bizarre row erupted last night over attempts to open up access to Europe’s biggest ancient monument under controversial right-to-roam laws. Locals say the Countryside Agency is “totally mad” for marking Silbury Hill as “unimproved chalk grassland” – because it was built entirely by prehistoric man. Continues here...

---

> And the same story here from BBCi, 17 May 2004
A peer has compared an ancient monument to the pyramids in a row over the government’s right to roam laws. Lord Avebury says he is “stunned” the Countryside Agency’s wants to label Silbury Hill in Wiltshire as “unimproved chalk grassland”.
Whole article here

Perthshire Advertiser fri 14th may 2004

Work on the new golf development in perth was brought to a sudden halt yesterday as buried bones were found under the site of the 13th green.
Although police were called, this body mystery is more a job for archaeologists than detectives as the bone are believed to date from the broze age.
Employees with Marwell maintainance services , Aberdeen, were excavating for a new adventure golf putting course at the noahs ark golf center on perth western edge,when they made the discovery.
Niall Mcgill , perthshire advertiser golf guru and center prof.,said : As the guys were excuvating for the course they tried to move a large stone and found a hollow chamber underneth with bone inside.
When archaeoligists visited the site, it was soon clear that the discovery was a major historical find.

David Stachan ,PKHT archaeoligist and all round good egg, said the remains are of a well preserved cist burial of the Broze age, dating from 2500-700BC.

The cist is a stone lined coffin and within a body was found in the foetal position.

The survival of the skelital remains indicates the cist is undesturbed.It remarkable since its at the edge of the center car park.

The cist also contains other features of interest, CUP MARKS and small indentations cut into the cap stone of the cist by the prehistoric builders.
There is also a large quartz pebble inserted into the side of the cist.
Quartz may have had some special significance to prehistoric people as it often appears at the ritual sites said Davie boy !!!
A full excavation of the cist began yesterday afternoon.
The work has been funded by HS and once excavation is finished builders will be back on site to continue the putting coarse development.
However, The discovery will not go unmarked.
Niall said : we found the burial under what is going to be the 13th hole, so we’re now thinking of a way to mark the site for visitors to the course. ( Q MEGARAKS!!!!!!)

The Bronze Age Forum
13th & 14th NOVEMBER 2004

CALL FOR PAPERS

The fourth Bronze Age Forum will be held at the University of Southampton on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th November 2004. This meeting is open to anyone with an interest in Bronze Age archaeology and short papers are invited on any aspect of the period. We are especially interested in topics relating to recent discoveries and original research and it is also hoped to have one session devoted to work in Southern England.

Please contact us with your proposals and abstracts at the following address: [email protected]

For all information regarding the meeting please visit our website at: www.soton.ac.uk/~baforum1/

The wrangling over the future of the roads near Stonehenge came to an end on Tuesday, after almost three months of hearings. Since the inquiry began on February 17, Inspector Michael Ellison has heard arguments supporting the construction of a 2.1 km tunnel under the World Heritage site from the Highways Agency and English Heritage, along with heated objections from the National Trust, environmental campaigners and archaeological groups.

Mr Ellison has also studied eight official alternative routes for the A303, which include converting the current road into a dual carriageway, extending the tunnel, and rerouting the stretch to either the north or south of the stones. More than 100 witnesses, including Druids, concerned residents, noise and light pollution experts and anti-road protesters, have given evidence at the inquiry, and thousands of documents, letters and maps were received. Participants have outlined their cases and faced rigorous cross examination before closing submissions were made this week.

The inspector has also been on site visits to Stonehenge and its surrounding roads and landscape, and will now consider the masses of evidence before compiling his report, due to be published in the autumn. Mr Ellison’s findings will include a recommendation that will be put before the deputy prime minister, John Prescott, who will make the final decision on the future of the world famous landmark.

If the tunnel gets the green light, £70m of the £200m bill will be met by heritage sources and the department of culture, media and sport, in one of the first agreements of its kind. The Highways Agency said the project, which includes a bypass for Winterbourne Stoke, could begin as early as next spring. It predicts it will take three-and-a-half years to complete, and will affect between 22,000 and 33,000 motorists a day. However if Mr Prescott rejects the published scheme, the 13-year row over the A303 near Stonehenge looks set to rage long into the future.

thisiswiltshire.co.uk/wiltshire/salisbury/news/SALIS_NEWS11.html

Perthshire Archaeology Week will be held this year from 29/5/04 to 6/6/04.
Details can be found at;
www.perthshire.co.uk/archaeologyweek
This page will be updated as the programme is finalised (not much on there today). Details can also be obtained from Douglas Ritchie in the Tourist Board in Perth (01738 627958) or David Strachan, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (01738 447855).

This years Archaeological Research in Progress conference in Aberdeen on the 29th May will examine recent and ongoing projects in the North East of Scotland. The programme looks interesting including a talk entilted ‘The moon and the bonfire: recent excavations at recumbent stone circles’.
Full details here;
britarch.ac.uk/csa/arp.html

Archaeologists are starting work to restore one of Cornwall’s prehistoric stone circles.
Three of the stones at the Nine Maidens circle at Madron near Penzance which have fallen over will be re-erected in time for the summer.

The project is a joint venture with Cornwall County Council, the Environment Department (Defra) and the Nine Maidens Commoners.

Work is expected to last until the end of May.

In the 18th century there were 13 stones in the circle, but workings at the nearby Ding Dong mineral mine moved closer to the circle until they reached and disturbed the site.

Of the nine stones remaining, three have fallen, two are leaning and four are upright.

The Nine Maidens pagan circle derives its name from a group of maidens who broke the Sabbath by dancing on a Sunday and were immediately turned to stone.

The archaeologists will also be carrying out drainage improvements, scrub clearance and footpath repair.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3703043.stm

By Stephen Stewart, May 10 2004

Archaeologists have re-discovered a lost chapter in Orkney’s history which will develop the understanding of mysterious ancient monuments found across Scotland.
Underwater researchers are examining small, artificial islands in Orkney’s inland waters, which have lain undiscovered for generations.

Crannogs were fortified places of refuge which are found throughout Scotland in lochs and other waters, but are a class of ancient monument not usually associated with Orkney. Bobby Forbes, an underwater archaeologist, is leading the project in a shallow loch which lies between Stromness and the Loch of Harray, in the vicinity of prehistoric remains at the Ring of Brodgar, Maes Howe and the Stones of Stenness.

He said: “We were doing some work in the Stenness Loch area and found two small islands with causeways, which were flooded by the sea. People have just not known about these man-made islands. The sites are not recorded in Orkney’s sites and monuments record.

“We are eager to find out how these sites fit in with the rest of Orkney’s archaeology. When they were created, agricultural land would have been at a premium.
“As people tried to avoid inhabiting agricultural land, they would have moved on to the loch and these very easily defended positions.”

Some crannogs elsewhere in Scotland and Ireland were large enough to house whole communities, and others were important royal or monastic centres.