MHG12218 - Crannog, Loch Na Claise
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- CRANNOG (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
NC03SW 4 0354 3082.
Near shore of Loch na Claise is a small island measuring 20m N-S by 12m E-W. It is formed from large stones and boulders and is at least partially artificial. There are no definite remains of occupation, but a greater concentration of stone at N end may represent a collapsed structure. A narrow causeway of loose stones connects it to shore. This may be a crannog.
Visited by OS (G H P) 14 May 1962.
Rubble enclosure 9m in diameter noted on crannog. The whole island apears to be free-stone. It is possible this may be 'rath' suggested by name Raffin (NC 018 321: Rath = fort + Fionn) as no other fort has been found in vicinity. (Distance of 1.25 miles between crannog and name would suggest that connection is unlikely.) Info contained in letter from T C Welsh, 4 July 1971.
As described by OS Field Surveyor (G H P). Undoubtedly artificial and despite no local tradition, probably crannog. The alleged enclosure noted by Welsh could not be confirmed, although modern disturbance might give impression of one.
Visited by OS (A A) 1 August 1974.
No change. Visited by OS (J M) 2 September 1980.
An archaeological investigation of the island settlement was undertaken in 2016 by AOC Archaeology and Historic Assynt. A small trial trench was excavated in the NE quadrant of the island, in which was found evidence for a low dry stone wall, with suggestion of remodelling, forming a circular enclosure 8m across. Within this enclosure, waterlogged floor layers were discovered, indicating that a building had stood on the island. Charcoal and burnt bone were found in these deposits, the bone probably from sheep, goat or pig. Radiocarbon dates were obtained From the charcoal, returning calibrated date ranges of 190-38 BC (SUERC-70518) and 113 BC-AD 52 (SUERC-70522). <1>
Sources/Archives (1)
Map
Location
Grid reference | Centred NC 0354 3082 (40m by 40m) (2 map features) |
---|---|
Map sheet | NC03SW |
Geographical Area | SUTHERLAND |
Civil Parish | ASSYNT |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/4522 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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