Crannog Pile, Castle Loch, Lochmaben
Castle Loch, Lochmaben
A roundwood stake post from the site of a Crannog on Castle
Loch, Lochmaben. The upper end of the post has been sawn across
creating a flat surface which shows the concentric growth rings.
There are 63 rings in total, however this is insufficient to enable
an accurate dating of the object. The post has uneven sides with
several vertical splits, each tapering towards the bottom of the
stake.
This pile was probably one of the uprights which were driven
into the bed of the loch to give the crannog its main support.
These uprights were connected by flat beams which were then covered
with stones, branches of trees and brushwood.
These dwelling sites were built on artificial islands made of
brushwood, peat, stones and logs. They were often surrounded by a
timber palisade. They probably first came into use in the later
Bronze Age when the metal axes needed to shape timber became
available. Crannogs were easily defended and were still inhabited
in medieval times, often by lesser lairds and landowners. In 1608
the Scottish parliament passed an act forbidding the erection of
crannogs.
Object no :
RPD0311
Collection :
Creator :
NA
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
length: 300 mm diameter (cut section): 60 mm
Materials :
wood
Location :
Castle Loch, Lochmaben
Related site :
Accession number :
DUMFM:1954.45
Copyright :
NA