Mid-Argyll -
20
Loch Glashan Crannog
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 Modern reconstruction of a crannog on Loch Tay |
Excavation Details
The crannog was excavated in 1960 when
the water level of Loch Glashan was reduced for the
construction of a dam for a hydro-electric scheme.
Pottery from the site has been dated to the 6th-8th
centuries. Further investigations are scheduled for
summer 2003.
Description
The crannog is situated just to the
south of a small island in the loch, and about 40
metres from the shore. Large numbers of the
original logs of its structure - mostly oak, but
some silver birch - survive under water. The
sub-floor of a rectangular timber building was
identified, with massive timbers trimmed and
levelled into a floor, measuring about 7.5 by 4.5
metres. Some patches of clay may be the remains of
domestic hearths.
Artefacts included many wooden objects, including a paddle, a bucket, a scoop, several bowls, a trough, a spoon and a spindle-whorl. Pottery included several pieces of E-ware.
Also found on the crannog site was a bronze brooch of 8th century style, which had once contained amber which was probably imported from the Baltic. Evidence of metal working was found, including a crucible and some pieces of slag.
Numerous leather fragments were found, indicating that there was a leather workshop at the site. Some pieces of worked leather were at first identified as having once formed a 'jerkin'. This has recently been called into question and preservation and new analysis of these pieces by AOC Archaeology suggest that they may in fact be part of a book-satchel. (1) The stretch marks on the leather where the straps were once attached are now visible.
The appearance of a book-satchel may indicate the presence of clergy or monks at the crannog - they were the men who used books - but there is no need to assume that they were ordinarily resident there. There are many church-sites [link to 'Monastic and Episcopal' essay] n the Kilmartin Glen and beyond from which a cleric may have come to Loch Glashan. The presence of many other leather fragments, some of them extremely thin, may also suggest Loch Glashan crannog was producing that extra fine skin or 'vellum' which was used for making manuscripts.
Notes:
1 The identification of the leather fragments as a jerkin was first questioned by Dr Colleen Batey of Glasgow, and the preservation and analysis of the material, and the suggestion that it is the remains of a book satchel, were the
References
- RCAHMS Argyll vol. 6 no.354
- Discovery and Excavation in Scotland (1960), 809
- Discovery and Excavation in Scotland (1961), 5-7
- Campbell and Sandeman, 62, no. 398; 120, no 56c.
- Campbell and Crone (forthcoming)
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