THE SCOTTISH Trust for Underwater Archaeology (STUA), who built the Scottish Crannog Centre at Kenmore, Loch Tay, has resumed work at the early Iron Age site of Oakbank Crannog, near the village of Fearnan.
Students from the USA, Scotland, England and Wales are taking part in a unique field school, which provides them with training in underwater recording and excavation techniques.
This year’s excavation has focused on the outer perimeter of the 2600 year old site, where fresh evidence of a building catastrophe has been uncovered.
Archaeologists know that the site was lived in periodically for perhaps more than 200 years and several phases of building and repair have been identified.
They have now uncovered clear evidence that at one point during a period of abandonment, the eastern part of the house and outer walkway gave way and sagged, breaking up that part of the house.
Timbers once upright have been found all lying in the same direction, some still preserved with the splintered remains from impact.
Dr Nicholas Dixon, research fellow at Edinburgh University and chairman of the STUA said, “One of the challenges in interpreting this type of site relates to the phases of building and rebuilding.
“Normally, unless we completely excavate through the layers to find the tips of the uprights we cannot tell whether they are primary or repair timbers.
“In this instance, the alignment of so many fallen timbers and the split remains where uprights were fractured provides clear evidence of a significant episode of collapse.”
Most of the artefacts discovered so far at the Oakbank Crannog relate to woodworking and building, including wooden pegs, twisted hazel hurdle fragments and bits of rope made from twisted willow or hazel.
Several pine tapers or “candles” have also been found, while one of the most interesting finds is part of a tiny circular object with the remains of a handle present.
This delicately hand-carved piece of wood is incredibly fragile and wafer thin and is thought to be the remains of a spatula type utensil.
The modern day crannog crew at Kenmore are faced with the same issues, constantly having to replace the most exposed timbers and the team is now searching for tall oak trees, which will last longest and make the most effective replacements.
They want to hear from anyone who has an oak woodland who would be willing to contribute some timber.
Meanwhile, if anyone is interested in trying the basics of underwater archaeology, the crannog centre and the STUA are offering Come and Try sessions in the local swimming pool on September 11 for youngsters aged eight-plus as well as adults.
For details, to book a place or to help with the centre’s wood needs, contact 01887 830583 or Email [email protected].
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