MHG2357 - Broch, Ha' of Bowermadden
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- BROCH (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Broch (NR) (site of) OS 6" map, (1970)
This broch was trenched over by farmer after it had been used as a quarry for many years. No plan of structure could be made out. The central area was roughly estimated as c30ft diameter, and near centre was well with about a dozen steps leading down to it.
Since Mrs Young states that courtyard wells are uncommon in second phase brochs, it seems probable that this one belonged to first phase, ie 1st centuries BC and AD. Implements, vessels and ornaments of stone, horn, bone, bronze and paste were recovered from site; most of them are now in NMAS, donated by Joseph Anderson in 1871 (Acc Nos GA 82-92). They include a 4th - 5th century AD bronze pin of open projecting head form (GA 91).
J Anderson 1873; NMAS 1892; RCAHMS 1911; A Young 1964; R B K Stevenson 1955
There is no trace of a broch in the area indicated.
Visited by OS (N K B) 1 November 1965
No change. 2 possible finds from broch occur around farm. The first is a sub-triangular or sub-oval stone bowl 0.35m across by 0.2m deep, with 2 opposing hollows in exterior which appear to be hand holds. The other object is a stone mortar; hole is 0.3m in diameter and same in depth.
Visited by OS (J B) 6 May 1982
Broch (ND 2538 6290), Murza. Diameter: 48m. Circular grass-covered mound 2.5m high eroded by ploughing. 2 facing stones are visible in NW and NNW sectors.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995
The glass bead of blue vitreous paste enamelled with yellow spirals, triangularly compressed was idenfied by Guide as Class 13 (North Scottish Spiral-decorated beads) of Iron Age date. <1>
This site was included in Mackie's 2007 'The Roundhouses, Brochs and Wheelhouses of Atlantic Scotland c.700 BC - AD 500: Architecture and material culture'. See link below to HES Canmore record which includes the chapter on this site. <2> <3>
Sources/Archives (9)
- --- SHG1281 Text/Publication/Article: Anderson, J. 1873. ''Notice of the excavation of the brochs of Yarhouse, Brounaben, Bowermadden, Old Stirkake, and Dunbeath in Caithness; with remarks on the period of the brochs, and an appendix, containing a collected list of the brochs of Scotland, and early notices of m. Archaeol Scot. 131-98. 143.
- --- SHG1353 Text/Publication/Article: Stevenson, R B K. 1955. 'Pins and the chronology of brochs', Proc Prehist Soc Vol. 21 1955, p.282-94. Proc Prehist Soc. 282-94. 291.
- --- SHG2591 Text/Publication/Volume: NMAS. 1892. Catalogue of the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. 229.
- --- SHG2664 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Third report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Caithness. . xxxv, 6-7, No. 22.
- --- SHG28278 Dataset/Database File: National Museums Scotland. 2019. Highland Finds from the NMS Catalogue. National Museums Scotland. Digital. GA 82-92.
- --- SHG293 Text/Publication/Article: Young, A. 1964. 'Brochs and duns', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 95 1961-2, p.171-98. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 171-98. 174.
- <1> SHG2300 Text/Publication/Volume: Guido, M. 1978. The glass beads of the prehistoric and Roman periods in Britain and Ireland. 195.
- <2> SHG26111 Text/Publication/Monograph: Mackie, E.. 2007. The Roundhouses, Brochs and Wheelhouses of Atlantic Scotland c.700 BC - AD 500: Architecture and material culture Part 2 (I & II) The Northern and Southern Mainland and the Western Islands. BAR British Series. 444. Paperback. Pp. 443.
- <3> SHG23282 Interactive Resource/Online Database: Historic Environment Scotland. Canmore. 8856.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 2398 6368 (70m by 70m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND26SW |
| Civil Parish | BOWER |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (10)
- BOWL (Iron Age - 550 BC? to 560 AD?)
- MORTAR (VESSEL) (Iron Age - 550 BC? to 560 AD?)
- BEAD (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
- COMB (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
- PIN (Late Iron Age - 2 AD to 560 AD)
- SPINDLE WHORL (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
- CUP (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
- DISC (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
- STONE BALL (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
- ANIMAL REMAINS (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/8856 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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