[71] _Journ. R. H. A. A._, vol. v., 4th S., p. 325.
[72] _Archæological Journal_, vol. xx. p. 170.
[73] _Proc. R. I. A._, vol. v. p. 215.
[74] _R. H. Arch. As._, vol. v., 4th S., p. 330.
[75] Three iron pots were found on this crannog, one of them being of
a triangular shape.
[76] Various mediæval objects collected in the mud on and near the
crannog sites: iron cuirass, matchlock guns, pistols, antique keys,
spurs, implements of iron, bronze ladle, bronze spear-head. The swords
and gun-barrels were found sticking up in the mud from the lake-bottom.
[77] A great many piles covering an oval enclosure about 100 feet in
diameter. On submarine crannogs, see Kinahan's "Manual of the Geology
of Ireland," p. 264, and Note 83 (p. 443) of Scottish list of crannogs.
[78] O'Flahertie in his history mentions that the ancient castle of
the O'Flaherties of Bunowen, in Ballinahinch Lake, was built on an
artificial island.
[79] Two crannogs, one large and the other small. The former is only
separated from the mainland by a shallow channel, and is accessible in
summer by a narrow causeway. On it were found "two fine specimens of
bronze pins, besides other articles of less interest in lead and iron,
and a flint spear-head."
[80] A stockaded enclosure, about 35 feet in diameter, lying some 12
or 14 feet below the bog surface. "A magnificent pair of quern stones"
and a large bowl-shaped vessel of oak are known to have been found on
it.
[81] A curious wooden flooring, buried 14 feet in the bog. It rested
on "a thick deposit of hazel and birch branches." Over it was a
"collection of stone slabs, closely fitted together with a substratum
of blue clay, but all laid on planks of timber forming part of the
floor. On this there were quantities of ashes, proving that this was
the fire-place of the ancient dwelling."
[82] "With piles round the margin and amongst the stones on its
surface were found querns, some perfect, some in a broken state." A
canoe became visible at a depth of 2½ to 3 feet when the water of the
lake was unusually low.
[83] A small crannog discovered by turf-cutters, and "interesting
from the fact of instruments made of iron and stone having been
found together." Among other things were a bronze pin, fragments
of crucibles, bits of anthracite coal, a socketed iron implement,
two small flint knives, a stone celt, a round flat stone with an
oblong-worked indentation on each side, and several bits of rude
pottery.
[84] An artificial island, 30 yards in diameter, thickly planted with
timber and surrounded with piles. In 1870 a canoe was found on the
shore of this islet, embedded in the mud and half destroyed by fire.
In the stuff lying on its floor were found some iron tools--an adze,
a hammer (both with handles), a socketed chisel, two whetstones, and
some fragments of iron.
[85] A small lake, scarcely a mile in circumference, and about three
miles from Cavan. About a hundred yards from shore a heap of stones,
surrounded by circles of stockades about fifty feet in diameter. In
the moss near the lake two canoes were found 21 and 18 feet long.
[86] This lake is in the parish of Clonbroney, and contains two
crannogs, called "Round Island" and "Fry's Island." The former is 18½
yards in diameter, and the "wooden piles, though in a pulpy and rotten
state, are still to be seen. In the lake a small canoe, 9½ feet long,
an iron spear, the nether stone of a grain-rubber, and the antlers
(with eighteen points) of a deer were found embedded in the silt."
[87] This is a small lake, three and a half miles north of
Enniskillen, about a mile in length and half a mile in breadth. It
contains three crannogs, the largest of which is 105 feet in diameter.
"Here were found querns, whetstones, worked pieces of deer-horn,
some fragments of iron plated with bronze, many pieces of ornamented
pottery, some of which were furnished with ears or handles; a very
curious stone (apparently a tombstone), sculptured with a cross
and ornamented with four human heads, and scroll work, and a large
boulder, upon which a cross-like figure had been picked or punched
out."
[88] A large crannog, covering about an acre, but only partly
artificial. About thirty thousand piles used in strengthening the
island, which had a jetty, and near this a canoe was found. The
principal relics are--some stone hammers, three pieces of flint
scrapers, a bead of amber and another of glass, a small stone ring the
size of a finger-ring, fragments of pottery, a crucible, some articles
of brass, and portions of bog-ore. The piles were cut by very sharp
metal implements.
[89] In 1833 Captain W. Mudge, R.N., discovered here a wooden hut made
of a framework of large oak beams mortised at the four corners. It
measured 12 feet square and 9 feet high, and about half way up there
was a flooring which divided the space into two storeys. The roof of
this unique hut was buried in the peat 16 feet from the surface, and
its base rested on a substratum of brushwood resembling a crannog.
(See p. 489).
[90] Two crannogs, one large, 100 feet in diameter. An iron cauldron,
found near the shore of lake, made on the same principle as the usual
bronze cauldrons, of beaten iron, and riveted.
[91] Ornamented quern stone found on the crannog.
[92] "Six stone and two bronze celts, an iron spear-head and a
bayonet, three fibulæ, one bridle-bit and two cheek-plates made of
bronze," found on this island.
[93] From this crannog the following objects were presented to the
Museum of the Royal Irish Academy:--"A piece of circular grindstone,
block of flint, old iron key, two portions of blades of iron swords,
and a piece of bone spike."
[94] A well-defined stockade, with horizontal beams. A canoe and the
following objects recorded from this crannog:--"Two iron swords; a
small anvil, very bright and clean; a pair of scales and several
hammers; several gold pins; metal dishes; small axe-heads; an iron
cauldron of a low dilated shape; a stone of yellowish-white colour,
beautifully polished, about twelve inches long, three and a half
broad, and two thick, accurately squared at the sides, having a round
hole about one and a quarter inch deep and half inch in diameter at
each end, the top surface and one of the sides being covered with
carved devices; and a quern."
[95] "In another crannog in Rahan's Lake," says Mr. Morant, "we found
five Queen Mary shillings, fused into a mass; a bronze pin; a flat
spear-head, and a stone celt. We also found the hearth-stones and a
quantity of ashes. The piles around the island are still visible above
the water."
[96] Contained three or four crannogs. "In the one opposite Cloncahir
were found several querns of different sizes and patterns (chiefly
flat-shaped, ornamented with the usual cross design, varied more or
less), and many of these were taken away by Mr. Kane to preserve at
Mohill Castle. When the water was at a low level a slight examination
was made in regard to the construction of the crannog. It was found
that there were two, possibly three, concentric circles of piles of
small size, enclosing an area considerably larger than that of the
present island, and the space so enclosed seemed to have been filled
with rough unhewn logs of wood up to about the present summer level
of the water. Upon this had been deposited a stratum of stones and
gravel, amongst which were found the querns already mentioned. In the
same lake are three other crannogs--Man Island, Crane Island, and
another."
[97] Three silver coins of the reigns of Edward I., II., and III.
found on this crannog.
[98] Three crannogs in this loch, two close to each other, and are
approached by a causeway which terminates about sixteen feet from the
crannogs, both about twenty-five feet in diameter. On the margin of
this crannog, under water, a bronze spear-head was found, 5¾ inches
long, and a looped celt 4 inches long.
[99] _Proc. S. A. Scot._, vol. xv. p. 153.
[100] Among the objects from Lagore mentioned by Lord Talbot (=Fig.
103=) is a peculiar iron pipe, described as of unknown use. It is
rather remarkable that it and this bayonet-like object from Buston
should be the counterparts of a kind of padlock in use in the
earlier Middle Ages, which acted in the following manner:--When a
spring-bolt (like that of the object from Buston) was passed through
the tube upwards, the spike attached to the latter passed through
the perforation in the former. Inside the tube there were two small
prominences, which when the bolt was pushed sufficiently home caught
the tips of its springs and prevented its return. In this state the
padlock was securely locked, and it could only be opened by a key
consisting of another but smaller tube, which, when passed through the
other end of the larger tube and over the springs, pressed the latter
close to the body of the bolt until their tips became clear of the
internal catches, and so allowed the spring-bolt to be extracted.
[101] Vol. i. p. 146.
[102] This crannog is of a rectangular shape, 43 feet by 41 feet, and
formed of layers of large trunks laid transversely.
[103] See Note 3, p. 447.
[104] The question of submarine crannogs is still obscure, and the
few facts that have come to light leave the matter in doubt as to
whether the structures were originally constructed in the water or on
dry land and subsequently submerged, in consequence of changes in the
relative levels of sea and land. The only remains of this character
that I know of in Britain are--(1) a cairn of stones on a substratum
of wood near the island of Eriska, at the mouth of Loch Crerar;
(2) the Black Cairn, in the Beauly Firth; and (3) some stumps of piles
in Ardmore Bay, county Waterford. The mound at Eriska, which was found
on examination to be of circular shape and 60 feet in diameter, was
dry at low water, but submerged at spring-tides to the extent of five
feet. Some ashes and charcoal and the broken bones of sheep and small
oxen were the only relics of human occupancy found. The Black Cairn
is noticed in the Statistical Account of Scotland, and also by Miss
Maclagan. It is about four hundred yards within flood-mark. The top is
only visible at low water, and the base is said to be composed of very
large wooden beams.
[105] Mr. Wallace describes the island as entirely artificial,
"raised upon piles and cross-beams, about fifty yards from the shore,
and 189 feet long, with an average of 112 feet wide. The water
immediately surrounding it is deep, and the margin of the island rises
perpendicularly from the deep water, which is about seven or eight
feet deep on the north and east sides, and ten or twelve feet on
the south and west. The piles and cross-beams, on which it has been
raised, lie like a pavement all round it, inclining to the centre.
The beams are of oak, pine, and birch. Those of pine and oak are the
largest. Between the beams, and all over the island, numerous pieces
of charcoal were picked up. The island rises in the centre, and, after
clearing away part of the luxuriant nettles and long grass, portions
of a walled structure were disclosed. No trace of lime-cement could
be detected, but the stones were large and well placed together. The
ruins of this building raised the island to the height of seven feet
above the present water-mark." The island is noticed in the historical
annals, and in 1596 gave refuge to the Earl of Arran. The occurrence
of vitrified materials on the surface gives to this crannog, according
to Mr. Wallace, peculiar interest. I could understand this interest
had it been proved that vitrified buildings had been constructed
over the crannog. In the construction of the crannog, of course,
stones taken from the shore were used, and in this way the vitrified
materials might be accounted for, or, what is more probable, they are
the slag of a smelting furnace. The following are Mr. Wallace's words:
"I visited the island in July, 1885, and scarcely had I set my foot on
shore when I found a small piece of true vitrified rock; and great was
my astonishment when I discovered that the whole island was covered
with fragments of different sizes of the same material. It was found
among the piles and cross-beams in great quantities. Several larger
masses--one measuring four feet by three--were found on the western
margin of the island, and deeply embedded among the stones and above
the piles and cross-beams, close to the water's edge. After careful
examination the vitrified material was found to differ in no way from
that forming our vitrified forts. Between the crannog and the shore
there is a smaller island of large stones, which is only visible when
the loch is exceptionally low, as it was this season. This island,
which measures 90 feet by 60 feet, appears to be entirely built of
stones. The sides, like those of the larger island, are perpendicular.
One piece of vitrified rock was found here. The distance between the
islands is about sixty feet, and between the smaller one and the shore
about twenty feet."
[106] Upon the partial drainage of Carlingwark Loch, in 1765, various
kinds of artificial structures were observed, as wooden roadways,
dams built of stone and clay, and a couple of islets constructed on a
framework of black oak. In the mud were also found various relics, as
a brass dagger, 22 inches long, mounted with gold plaiting; a brass
pan; a remarkable cauldron (Fig. 172), containing bronze and iron
implements; and several large stag-heads.
[107] "In draining a lake at the east end of the parish of Croy, an
artificial mound appeared within a few yards of the shore, about sixty
feet in circumference and five in height. It was formed of alternate
strata of stones, earth, and oak; piles of oak being driven in the
ground were kept strongly fixed by transverse beams of smaller size.
Over these were round stones, and on the surface some inches of fine
black mould. Some fragments of brass rings, pieces of pottery, and
the bolt of a lock of no ordinary size, were found on the mound. At
about a hundred yards distance there is a circle of large piles of
oak, driven deep in the earth, apparently the commencement of a second
mound; but for what purpose they were intended it is impossible to
conjecture. At the same time a canoe, of most beautiful workmanship,
was found, which some modern Goth has since cut down for mean and
servile purposes."
[108] See note 3, p. 443.
[109] Artificial lake, with two islands, said to be seats of Fergus,
Lord of Galloway.
[110] Rev. R. J. Mapleton thus sums up his observations:--"Altogether,
I think that it is evident that the crannog was entirely composed of
rock and walling, with the middle part filled up with smaller stones;
that there existed considerable works of wood on the east, south, and
west sides, at least, but whether a rampart outside or a building on
the structure itself, is not quite clear; that there was a partial
causeway, now under water, and the interval either filled in with
brushwood or passed over in a canoe."
[111] "In Loch Kinder there is an artificial mount of stones, rising
six or seven feet above the surface of the water, and resting on a
frame of large oaks, which is visible when the weather is clear and
calm."
[112] An oval-shaped crannog, 50 feet long by 28 feet broad,
constructed of layers of young trees laid transversely. Three
fire-places were exposed over the structure, and among the rubbish
were found two broken combs made of wood, one of which is here figured
(=Fig. 173=), and a piece of wood with a Greek cross, with crosslets
burnt on it.
[113] Half a century ago Loch Leven was lowered nine feet by drainage,
and at the present time the remains of the lake-dwelling are always
from one to three feet under water. The mound measures 35 yards by 20
yards, and 1½ to 2 feet in height. In this area were detected the
stumps of two rows of piles, twelve feet apart, and each pile was four
or five feet apart. Also, in a line stretching to the shore, which is
about sixty yards distant, there were one or two piles encountered,
as if forming part of a gangway. The lake-bottom is here firm, and
not liable to compression, so that the structure, whether ancient
or modern, was really a pile-building. The only relics are a bit
of carved wood, which might have been a handle, and a fragment of
archaic-like pottery.
[114] The island is oval in shape, 180 feet long and 135 feet broad in
the widest part. Fire-places, wooden floorings, and other woodworks
were exposed, and a few relics, viz. an ornamented bone comb (=Fig.
174=), a flat loop of bronze, part of the rim of a large vessel of
cast bronze 3 inches in length, and portion of an armlet of greenish
glass, with a blue-and-white twisted cable ornament running round it.
[115] Dr. Stuart quotes the following account of a crannog in Loch
Lochy from Mr. Robertson's notes, extracted by the latter from a MS.
in the Advocate's Library, written towards the end of the seventeenth
century: "Ther was of ancient ane lord in Loquhaber, called my Lord
Cumming, being a cruell and tyirrant superior to the inhabitants and
ancient tenants of that countrie of Loquhaber. This lord builded ane
iland, or an house, on the south-east head of Loghloghae; ... and when
summer is, certain yeares or dayes, one of the bigge timber jests, the
quantitie of an ell thereof will be sein above the water. And sundrie
men of the countrie were wont to goe and se that jest of timber which
stands there as yett; and they say that a man's finger will cast it
too and fro in the water, but fortie men cannot pull it up, because it
lyeth in another jest below the water." B. 94, p. 160.
[116] In Maitland's "History of Scotland" the curious observation is
made that Boece states that in Loch Lomond there were fish without
fins, waves without wind, and a floating island. (Boet. "Scot. Reg.
Descript.," fol. 7.)
[117] The relics from the Wigtownshire crannogs, besides those already
mentioned, are not numerous. From Barlockhart there is a stone ring
(=Fig. 175=), two querns, and a spindle-whorl of clay-slate. From one
of the crannogs at Machermore Loch there is a stone implement, with
circular hollows on each face (=Fig. 175=). Regarding such implements
Rev. George Wilson writes thus:--"These are of two types, elongated
and oval, approaching a circular form, and I wish to direct attention
to them because, as yet (1879), only eight have been reported in
Scotland, seven of them being from Wigtownshire" (_Proc. S. A. Scot._,
vol. xiv. p. 127). Shortly afterwards another, described at page 422,
was found on the crannog of Lochspouts, in Ayrshire.
[118] Lochavoullin, situated to the east of the Oban railway station,
was formerly, as the name implies, used as a dam for a water-mill, but
for many years it was a marsh in the summer time, and much frequented
by sportsmen on account of the number of snipes which it sheltered. It
is now in the process of being utilised, partly as a green, by filling
up its bed, and partly as a skating-pond; and in the course of these
operations a submerged platform of wooden beams, laid in transverse
layers, was detected about the centre of the marsh. I visited the
locality in the spring of 1888, but beyond seeing portions of the
woodwork, and determining, by probing the mud, that it extended for
several yards in all directions, nothing of archæological value was
discovered. So far, however, it has all the appearance of the usual
crannog, an opinion which is strengthened by the physical conditions
of the environment.
[119] This loch covers about two acres. At the north end there is a
small island, covered with a rank vegetation and a few stunted trees
of Scottish fir and birch. A rough, crooked causeway extended from
it to the shore. "Round the island could be seen driven piles, to
which were attached strong transverse beams, and upon making a cut
six or seven feet wide into the side of the island to ascertain its
structure, we found a platform of about four feet in depth, raised by
transverse beams placed alternately across each other, and kept in
position by driven piles. These last were generally small oak trees,
but dressed and sharpened by a metal tool, some of them mortised at
the heads, where a transverse rail or beam could be fixed."
[120] Towards the north the author subsequently found a "plank with
several Roman nails in it; and the number of loose nails found in the
soil above it showed that they must probably have belonged to some
wooden superstructure which had perished."
[121] Evans, "An. Br. Implements," p. 436.
[122] _Proc. R. I. A._, vol. ix. p. 176; and vol. i., 2nd Ser., p. 223.
[123] See translation of O. S., edited by Dr. Joseph Anderson, p. 182;
also _Proc. S. A. Scot._, vol. viii.
Sixth Lecture.