Monument record 10292 - ECC 23.2 Crobeag, Toa

Summary

Settlement enclosure

Location

Grid reference NB 39032 20970 (point)
Map sheet NB32SE
Island Lewis
Parish LOCHS, Western Isles

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

"Situated on the north-east side of the Toa headland, immediately to the west of Crobeag, the remains of these turf structures form an L shape consisting of an uncertain number of turf cells or linear structures. Running from west to east the primary range measures 22 x 6 metres. The second arm runs from north to south from the west end of the first range. This second structure measures 12 x 5 metres and is also indistinct in their form. The form of these structures suggests the presence of one or more longhouses constructed entirely of turf, possibly with an attached enclosure. The use of more detailed survey techniques and possible remote sensing (resistivity or gradiometry) might help to refine the overall plan, but only excavation will help to date these structures. Turf construction for blackhouses and sheilings is known to have continued well into the crofting period, and invariably once such a building is abandoned it quickly degrades leaving little or no visible evidence of its presence on the ground surface. The possibility that these structures relate to the enclosure of the Toa headland (23.1) cannot be ignored, however, suggesting that they may possibly be Norse in origin." (Burgess 2004, 99-100)


Chris Burgess, Northamptonshire Archaeology, 2004, Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle (Unpublished document). SWE41054.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • --- Unpublished document: Chris Burgess, Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle. Loch Seaforth Head Gazeteer.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jul 23 2004 1:52PM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the website maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.