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{{Short description|Ruin and archaeological site in Scotland}} |
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{{Infobox ancient site |
{{Infobox ancient site |
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|name = Dun Carloway |
|name = Dun Carloway |
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|alt = Photo of the broch |
|alt = Photo of the broch |
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|caption = Dun Carloway |
|caption = Dun Carloway |
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|map = {{Infobox mapframe|id=Q1265209|zoom=13|frame-width=250}} |
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|map_type = Scotland Outer Hebrides |
|map_type = Scotland Outer Hebrides |
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'''Dun Carloway''' ({{lang-gd|Dùn Chàrlabhaigh}}) is a [[broch]] situated in the district of [[Carloway]], on the west coast of the [[Isle of Lewis]], |
'''Dun Carloway''' ({{lang-gd|Dùn Chàrlabhaigh}}) is a [[broch]] situated in the district of [[Carloway]], on the west coast of the [[Isle of Lewis]], Scotland ({{gbmapping|NB18994122}}). It is a remarkably well preserved broch – on the east side parts of the old wall still reach to 9 metres tall. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Most brochs were built in the period from 100 BC to 100 AD. Dun Carloway was probably built in the 1st century AD.<ref Name="armitfojut10">I. Armit & N. Fojut, ''Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age'' (1998). P. 10</ref> Through the centuries Dun Carloway remained in use until the floor level was too high due to build-up of the occupation layers.<ref Name="tabraham">C. Tabraham, [http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_108/108_156_167.pdf ''Excavations at Dun Carloway broch, Isle of Lewis''], Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 108 ( 1976-7) 156-167.</ref> |
Most brochs were built in the period from 100 BC to 100 AD. Dun Carloway was probably built in the 1st century AD.<ref Name="armitfojut10">I. Armit & N. Fojut, ''Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age'' (1998). P. 10</ref> It probably got its current name from the Norse ''Karlavagr'' ("Karl's bay"), a relic of its time as part of the [[Kingdom of the Isles]]. Through the centuries Dun Carloway remained in use until the floor level was too high due to build-up of the occupation layers.<ref Name="tabraham">C. Tabraham, [http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_108/108_156_167.pdf ''Excavations at Dun Carloway broch, Isle of Lewis''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611090722/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_108/108_156_167.pdf |date=11 June 2007 }}, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 108 ( 1976-7) 156-167.</ref> |
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The broch was occasionally used in later times as a stronghold. The Morrisons of Ness put Dun Carloway into use in 1601. The story goes that they had stolen cattle from the MacAuleys of Uig. The MacAuleys wanted their cattle back and found the Morrisons in the broch. One of them, Donald Cam MacAuley, climbed the outer wall using two daggers and managed to smoke |
The broch was occasionally used in later times as a stronghold. The Morrisons of Ness put Dun Carloway into use in 1601. The story goes that they had stolen cattle from the MacAuleys of Uig. The MacAuleys wanted their cattle back and found the Morrisons in the broch. One of them, Donald Cam MacAuley, climbed the outer wall using two daggers and managed to smoke out the inhabitants by throwing heather into the broch and then setting fire to it.<ref name="thomas">F.W.L. Thomas, [http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_014/14_363_431.pdf ''Traditions of the MacAuleys of Lewis''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611173618/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_014/14_363_431.pdf |date=June 11, 2007 }}, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 14, 363-431.</ref><ref name="coventry">M. Coventry, ''The Castles of Scotland'' (2006), Fourth Edition, Birlinn Limited. {{ISBN|1-84158-449-5}}. Blz. 268.</ref> The MacAuleys then destroyed the broch.<ref Name="thomas"/> |
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Presumably in the 16th century the walls of the broch |
Presumably in the 16th century the walls of the broch were still largely intact. By the middle of the 19th century a large portion of the top of the wall had disappeared, the stones being re-used in other buildings.<ref Name="armitfojut25">I. Armit & N. Fojut, '' Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age.'' P. 25</ref> The situation in 1861 is shown in a drawing published in 1890 by Captain Thomas.<ref name="thomas2">FWL. Thomas, [http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/arch_scot_vol_005/05_365_415.pdf '' Duns of the Outer Hebrides''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318031508/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/arch_scot_vol_005/05_365_415.pdf |date=18 March 2009 }} (1890), Archaeologica scotica, 5, 365-415.</ref> To prevent further decay Dun Carloway was in 1882 one of the first officially protected monuments in Scotland.<ref Name="armitfojut25"/> Five years later, the broch was placed under state management. Since then, restoration has been performed on the broch. At the beginning of the 20th century and in the 1970s there was limited archaeological excavation.<ref Name="tabraham"/> |
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==Construction== |
==Construction== |
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Dun Carloway is built on a rock on a steep south |
Dun Carloway is built on a rock on a steep south slope at the height of 50 metres.<ref Name="tabraham"/> It is the best preserved broch in the [[Outer Hebrides]].<ref name="coventry"/><ref name="burgess">C. Burgess, ''Ancient Lewis and Harris'', Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (2008). {{ISBN|978-0-9519490-2-3}}. P. 70.</ref> The wall of the broch rises on the south side to 9.2 metres.<ref Name="armit55">I. Armit, ''Towers in the North - The Brochs of Scotland'' (2003). P. 55.</ref> Only [[Mousa Broch]] and [[Dun Telve]] have walls that are higher. The original height of Dun Carloway is unknown. The broch overlooks [[Loch Carloway]]. |
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[[File:Steps Inside the Broch, Dun Charlabhaigh - geograph.org.uk - 567997.jpg|thumb|right|Steps inside the Broch]] |
[[File:Steps Inside the Broch, Dun Charlabhaigh - geograph.org.uk - 567997.jpg|thumb|right|Steps inside the Broch]] |
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The external diameter is 14.3 |
The external diameter is 14.3 metres; the internal diameter of the inner courtyard is 7.4 metres.<ref Name="tabraham"/> The walls vary in thickness from 2.9 to 3.8 metres from the south-east to the north.<ref name="tabraham"/> The entrance is on the north-west side.<ref Name="armitfojut22">I. Armit & N. Fojut, ''Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age'' (1998). P. 22.</ref> The entrance is 75 centimetres wide and 1 metre high. The walls on this side of the broch do not much exceed the height of the entrance capstone and there are no stones on top of the large capstone.<ref Name="mackenzie">WM Mackenzie, [http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_038/38_173_204.pdf ''Notes on certain structures or archaic type in the island of Lewis - beehive houses, duns and stone circles''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611112923/http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_038/38_173_204.pdf |date=11 June 2007 }}, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 38, 173-204.</ref> On the south side of the entrance-passage is a so-called "guard cell", a small side room in the hallway. The opening to the "guard cell" is 61 centimetres square.<ref Name="thomas2"/> In the interior of the broch there are three additional openings. The opening on the eastern side, opposite the entrance, leads to the stairs located between the walls of the broch. The staircase runs along one quarter of the circumference of the broch.<ref Name="thomas2"/> The north-eastern opening (to the left of the staircase opening) gives access to an oval room. Here are traces showing that there were at least three peat ovens over the centuries.<ref Name="tabraham"/> The west opening (right, after entering the broch) provides access to a room under the staircase.<ref name="armitfojut23">I. Armit & N. Fojut, ''Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age'' (1998). P. 23.</ref> |
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In the |
In the south-eastern wall two large wall voids are visible. On the north side of the interior protrudes the rock upon which the broch was built. It is likely that there was an upper wooden floor,<ref name="coventry"/> as the scarcement (ledge) which could hold such a floor is visible 2 metres above ground level.<ref name="armitfojut22"/> Although the remaining wall is higher than nine metres, there is no trace of a higher scarcement found.<ref name="armit67">I. Armit, ''Towers in the North - The Brochs of Scotland'' (2003). P. 67.</ref> This could mean that there was only one floor, or that a different method was used for higher floors. |
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==Finds== |
==Finds== |
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[[Image:Dun Carloway Broch.jpg|thumb|right|Photo of the [[broch]]]] |
[[Image:Dun Carloway Broch.jpg|thumb|right|Photo of the [[broch]]]] |
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Excavation in the northeastern room found at least three peat-ovens used in the period |
Excavation in the northeastern room found at least three peat-ovens used in the period 400–700. In this room were also a lot of pottery remains, as well as a fragment of a [[quern-stone]] and a collection of snail shells. The fireplaces contained no animal bones, which makes a domestic (preparing meals) use of the fires seem unlikely.<ref Name="tabraham"/> A more industrial application is also unlikely because of the absence of tools that were used in making ironwork. Probably the northeastern room was only used for the manufacture of earthenware pots.<ref Name="tabraham"/> |
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==Management== |
==Management== |
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Dun Carloway has been in state management |
Dun Carloway has been in state management since 1887<ref name="armitfojut6">I. Armit & N. Fojut, ''Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age'' (1998). P. 6.</ref> and is now owned by [[Historic Scotland]]. The visitor centre is operated by Urras nan Tursachan (The Standing Stones Trust). Currently the community owned visitor centre is operated by the Carlaway Estate Trust (Urras Oighreachd Chàrlabhaigh) who are fundraising to maintain & develop the visitor centre. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Prehistoric Western Isles}} |
{{Prehistoric Western Isles}} |
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{{Broch}} |
{{Broch}} |
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[[Category:Brochs]] |
[[Category:Brochs]] |
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[[Category:Lewis]] |
[[Category:Isle of Lewis]] |
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[[Category:Scheduled |
[[Category:Scheduled monuments in Scotland]] |
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[[Category:Historic Environment Scotland properties]] |
[[Category:Historic Environment Scotland properties]] |
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[[Category:Archaeological sites in the Outer Hebrides]] |
[[Category:Archaeological sites in the Outer Hebrides]] |
Revision as of 09:57, 18 July 2024
Location | Isle of Lewis |
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Coordinates | 58°16′10″N 6°47′39″W / 58.269572°N 6.794104°W |
Type | Broch |
History | |
Periods | Iron Age |
Site notes | |
Ownership | Historic Scotland |
Public access | Yes |
Dun Carloway (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Chàrlabhaigh) is a broch situated in the district of Carloway, on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland (grid reference NB18994122). It is a remarkably well preserved broch – on the east side parts of the old wall still reach to 9 metres tall.
History
Most brochs were built in the period from 100 BC to 100 AD. Dun Carloway was probably built in the 1st century AD.[1] It probably got its current name from the Norse Karlavagr ("Karl's bay"), a relic of its time as part of the Kingdom of the Isles. Through the centuries Dun Carloway remained in use until the floor level was too high due to build-up of the occupation layers.[2]
The broch was occasionally used in later times as a stronghold. The Morrisons of Ness put Dun Carloway into use in 1601. The story goes that they had stolen cattle from the MacAuleys of Uig. The MacAuleys wanted their cattle back and found the Morrisons in the broch. One of them, Donald Cam MacAuley, climbed the outer wall using two daggers and managed to smoke out the inhabitants by throwing heather into the broch and then setting fire to it.[3][4] The MacAuleys then destroyed the broch.[3]
Presumably in the 16th century the walls of the broch were still largely intact. By the middle of the 19th century a large portion of the top of the wall had disappeared, the stones being re-used in other buildings.[5] The situation in 1861 is shown in a drawing published in 1890 by Captain Thomas.[6] To prevent further decay Dun Carloway was in 1882 one of the first officially protected monuments in Scotland.[5] Five years later, the broch was placed under state management. Since then, restoration has been performed on the broch. At the beginning of the 20th century and in the 1970s there was limited archaeological excavation.[2]
Construction
Dun Carloway is built on a rock on a steep south slope at the height of 50 metres.[2] It is the best preserved broch in the Outer Hebrides.[4][7] The wall of the broch rises on the south side to 9.2 metres.[8] Only Mousa Broch and Dun Telve have walls that are higher. The original height of Dun Carloway is unknown. The broch overlooks Loch Carloway.
The external diameter is 14.3 metres; the internal diameter of the inner courtyard is 7.4 metres.[2] The walls vary in thickness from 2.9 to 3.8 metres from the south-east to the north.[2] The entrance is on the north-west side.[9] The entrance is 75 centimetres wide and 1 metre high. The walls on this side of the broch do not much exceed the height of the entrance capstone and there are no stones on top of the large capstone.[10] On the south side of the entrance-passage is a so-called "guard cell", a small side room in the hallway. The opening to the "guard cell" is 61 centimetres square.[6] In the interior of the broch there are three additional openings. The opening on the eastern side, opposite the entrance, leads to the stairs located between the walls of the broch. The staircase runs along one quarter of the circumference of the broch.[6] The north-eastern opening (to the left of the staircase opening) gives access to an oval room. Here are traces showing that there were at least three peat ovens over the centuries.[2] The west opening (right, after entering the broch) provides access to a room under the staircase.[11]
In the south-eastern wall two large wall voids are visible. On the north side of the interior protrudes the rock upon which the broch was built. It is likely that there was an upper wooden floor,[4] as the scarcement (ledge) which could hold such a floor is visible 2 metres above ground level.[9] Although the remaining wall is higher than nine metres, there is no trace of a higher scarcement found.[12] This could mean that there was only one floor, or that a different method was used for higher floors.
Finds
Excavation in the northeastern room found at least three peat-ovens used in the period 400–700. In this room were also a lot of pottery remains, as well as a fragment of a quern-stone and a collection of snail shells. The fireplaces contained no animal bones, which makes a domestic (preparing meals) use of the fires seem unlikely.[2] A more industrial application is also unlikely because of the absence of tools that were used in making ironwork. Probably the northeastern room was only used for the manufacture of earthenware pots.[2]
Management
Dun Carloway has been in state management since 1887[13] and is now owned by Historic Scotland. The visitor centre is operated by Urras nan Tursachan (The Standing Stones Trust). Currently the community owned visitor centre is operated by the Carlaway Estate Trust (Urras Oighreachd Chàrlabhaigh) who are fundraising to maintain & develop the visitor centre.
References
- ^ I. Armit & N. Fojut, Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age (1998). P. 10
- ^ a b c d e f g h C. Tabraham, Excavations at Dun Carloway broch, Isle of Lewis Archived 11 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 108 ( 1976-7) 156-167.
- ^ a b F.W.L. Thomas, Traditions of the MacAuleys of Lewis Archived June 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 14, 363-431.
- ^ a b c M. Coventry, The Castles of Scotland (2006), Fourth Edition, Birlinn Limited. ISBN 1-84158-449-5. Blz. 268.
- ^ a b I. Armit & N. Fojut, Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age. P. 25
- ^ a b c FWL. Thomas, Duns of the Outer Hebrides Archived 18 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine (1890), Archaeologica scotica, 5, 365-415.
- ^ C. Burgess, Ancient Lewis and Harris, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (2008). ISBN 978-0-9519490-2-3. P. 70.
- ^ I. Armit, Towers in the North - The Brochs of Scotland (2003). P. 55.
- ^ a b I. Armit & N. Fojut, Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age (1998). P. 22.
- ^ WM Mackenzie, Notes on certain structures or archaic type in the island of Lewis - beehive houses, duns and stone circles Archived 11 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 38, 173-204.
- ^ I. Armit & N. Fojut, Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age (1998). P. 23.
- ^ I. Armit, Towers in the North - The Brochs of Scotland (2003). P. 67.
- ^ I. Armit & N. Fojut, Dun Charlabhaigh and the Hebridean Iron Age (1998). P. 6.
Further reading
- Ponting, Gerald; Ponting, Margaret (1980). M. Pointing (ed.). A mini-guide to Dun Carloway Broch. Isle of Lewis. Callanish, Isle of Lewis: G. and M. Ponting.