Crannog

An Crannog (Irish plural: crannóga; crann of Irish, "tree" ) is a built of logs, sand and stones artificial circular island. Crannogs were built in the western parts of the British Isles from the Neolithic period and sporadically used until the High Middle Ages. Some of the buildings were built on Crannogs. Rare natural islands were surrounded by walls and expanded to Crannogs: Examples are Doon Fort in " Lough Doon " in County Donegal and the Crannog in Lough -Na- Crannagh in County Antrim.

History of research in Ireland and Northern Ireland

The Golden Age of the Crannog research was the late 19th century, as Irish researchers digging out and described. Many Crannogs were discovered during major drainages in the wetlands of the Lakelands. Because the Seeniveaus were lowered were many small islands and rock hill from the water. Between 1839 and 1848 William Wilde described the archaeological discoveries in the Crannog of Lagore near Dunshaughlin, County Meath. Scholars such as William Wakeman and George Kinahan were particularly active and recognized and systematically described the Irish Crannogs. Before 1886 Irish archaeologists had discovered at least 220 Crannogs and William Gregory Wood -Martin published his standard work: The lake dwellings of Ireland: or, Ancient lacustrine habitations of Erin, Commonly called crannogs. He also published the first drawing of a reconstruction ( by W. Wakeman ). Crannogs are particularly difficult to be examined courses. Only a few have been excavated extensively in recent times. In the 1930s, four examples were studied: Lagore, in County Meath, Ballinderry No. 1, County Westmeath, Ballinderry No. 2, County Offaly and Knocknalappa, in County Clare. Recent excavations found in Lough Faughan and Loughislandreevy, both in County Down and in Lough Gara Rathtinaun, County Sligo instead. The excavation was carried out from 2006 used the 900-1600 Crannog of Drumclay in Lough Erne in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland yielded a wealth of knowledge about the construction and use of such courts.

Dissemination

Several hundred ( estimated 3000) Crannogs are known in Ireland from the Hebrides ( Coll, Islay, Mull, North Uist and Tiree ) and the Scottish mainland. A few can be found on Orkney and the Shetland Islands. A single specimen, of Llan - Gors Crannog was found in 1868 in Wales Llangorse Lake, the highest lake of South Wales, in the Brecon Beacons National Park in the Black Mountains.

Distribution in Ireland

The geographical distribution of about 1,200 Irish Crannogs (many are still undiscovered ) extends mainly over the lakes of the Midlands, the west, northwest and north of Ireland. Crannogs be found rather in smaller lakes and are seldom the great Midland Lakes of the River Shannon ( Lough Ree etc ). Themes can be found in the drumlin lakes of Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan and Roscommon. Accumulations are also about Castlebar Lough ( County Mayo ) and Lough Gara ( County Sligo). In Ulster they lie in a belt extending from Fermanagh South Tyrone and Armagh through to the middle Down. Crannogs are distributed primarily on the west and north of Ireland. Self- lake-rich regions in eastern Ireland, as Westmeath, have lower numbers.

When carried out in the 1950s, lowering the water level in Lough Gara, in County Sligo 360 closely spaced Crannogs came to the surface that have been created or used between 200 BC and 1000 AD. Most were built during the second Crannog period between 500-1200 AD.

Scottish Crannogs

Most Crannogs are at least teilartifiziell. In many cases Crannogs were created entirely of large amounts of material, which rest the bottom of the lake. In a few cases, small islands or natural outcrops were only slightly increased. The result was always a small island whose surface is above the water level. Other features for Crannogs are: dams to the shore and piers, vertical rammed wooden stakes that surround the island as a palisade, and accumulated waste.

Crannogs are round or oval, but differ greatly in size. The average diameters are between 15 and 30 meters, although it is both larger and smaller exceptions. The materials used vary in Scotland. In the Hebrides they are primarily built of stone, while they are on the mainland mainly made ​​of wood. As a rule, people used materials that are available locally.

Archaeologists know two types of Crannogs: It has either a solid base as an island or a stilt house. This later type was above the water and was much larger. Excavations have shown that Crannogs were used between the end of the Neolithic period (2000 BC) and the early period of the historical Picts and Scots.

Chronology

Eilean Dhomhnaill in the hole Olabhat on the Scottish island of North Uist is perhaps the oldest Crannog. The ceramic type Unstan goods and 14C data show its Neolithic origin between 3650-2500 BC In Scotland the use of Crannogs ends sporadically until the 17th century. The priories island in Loch Tay was a clan stronghold, which was built on the remains of a Crannogs. The Campbells of Glen Orchy built in the 16th century a fort, whose ruins still standing on the island. It is recorded that King Alexander I (1078 - 1124 AD), the island in 1122 AD, the monks of Scone Abbey left after Queen Sybilla, as has been suggested, had died in the monastery of the island.

Method of construction

In lakes and swamps was an round or rarely oval artificial island created by wood and stones and through the pile driving as edge attachment (of rarely more than 20 m in diameter ). Up to three structure erected huts were also around. Their walls were made of woven twigs and branches and were sealed with clay. The roof was made ​​of thatch or straw. Inside there is a fire pit was ( at Moynagh Lough crannog and Lagore Crannog is a melting pot ).

Crannogs occasionally had access roads on dams made ​​of stone or wood that ran below the waterline or were flooded by Seespiegelveränderung. Since they did not proceed in a straight line, they were not easy to happen for anyone unfamiliar. Otherwise, the only access to a Crannog by boat was. Several had slipways where boats could be pulled ashore. Dugout canoes have been found in many Crannogs, so when carried out in the 1930s excavation of Ballinderry No. 2 in County Offaly.

Trade and industry

Probably were the Crannogs artisanal production. On many woods have been found of oak, yew, alder, hazel and willow, were important commodities. It also wooden artifacts, such as buckets, spoons, ladles and bowls rolling and occasionally pieces of ornate wood or decorated bones were discovered. On other Crannogs one produced fabric or jewelry. Probably it was in all cases prestige goods. The Crannog of Ardakillen in County Roscommon there were handcuffs and chains, so it is assumed that here hostages were holding captive.

Today's examples

The remains of Crannogs are still found in a tree -covered islands in the lakes. Often they are associated with Duns and Raths ( Lisleitrim, County Armagh ). Especially memorable are reconstructed Crannogs:

• Ireland Craggaunowen, Co. Clare
• Ferrycarrig, Co. Wexford

• Ulster History Park, Co. Tyrone

• Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay
• Seven Crannogs in the valley of Kilmartin
• Crannogs on the island of Coll

• Welsh Crannog Centre on Llangors Lake