Broch of Gurness

The Broch of Gurness (also: Broch o ' Gurness ) is an Iron Age tower, around which a settlement developed. The plant was built in the 2nd or 1st century BC and was used again in Pictish times.

Location

Gurness (English corrupted by Aikerness ) is at Tingwall on Orkney Mainland in the peninsula Aikerness on Eynhallow sound.

History of Research

The orkadische artist Robert Rendall 1929 identified the hill Knap of Aikerness as Broch. The MOPBW dug up the plant from the late 1930s.

Construction

With 20 m diameter of the Broch of Gurness one of the largest of its kind and is preserved to a height of 3.5 m. To Tower and settlement is a triple rampart of ditches and walls. During the excavations an underground chamber was discovered in 1930, in which, similar to the system collects in Mine Howe spring water. A found during the excavation in the 1930s, steep stone staircase leads under the Broch.

Reuse

Just outside of a bank and ditch is the Shamrock House, an oval stone building with four rooms that open out to a larger interior. Inside the house of stone fixtures and niches are preserved. It was built after the expiry of the earlier system of the Picts on the ruins. During the excavations, translocated the house to the outside of the settlement, where it is seen today.

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