caithness-1911/05_035

Transcription

INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. -- xxxiii

around the excavated brochs, while their presence in numerous other
instances is revealed by surface indications. In Sutherland such
outbuildings appear to be exceptional. Around the broch of
Yarrows (No. 509) the existence of food refuse, presumably from
the broch, beneath the level of these structures, demonstrates their
secondary nature. A water supply was provided by wells sunk in
the interior court as at Keiss (No. 515), Ness (No. 33), and "Hill of
Works" (No. 3), or within the defences adjacent to the entrance as
at Hillhead (No. 520); while to carry off surface water from the
interior a drain was constructed, passing beneath the entrance
passage. Such drains were observed in the brochs of Brounaban
(No. 511), Nybster (No. 518), and others. The settings of slabs in
the floor of the interior sometimes formed tanks or fireplaces, but
the object of other arrangements formed by slabs on end or on edge
and believed to be secondary is not equally apparent.
In a number of instances human remains have been found on the
tops of the mounds covering the ruins. The extended burial, and the
orientation of the bodies, usually characteristic of these interments,
indicate their relation to Christian times. The burial found above the
ruins of the broch at Castletown (No. 320), with which were two
oval bowl-shaped brooches of brass (one of which is here shown,

[Picture inserted]
FIG. A. - Bowl-shaped Brooch from Castlehill, Castletown (4 1/2 inches in length).

fig. A.), belonged to the Norse pagan period, which, however, may be
held to have terminated in the 11th century.
Of the relics recovered, many are objects of stone such as might
have been utilised in any age, but such as bear the impress of a
distinctive culture are clearly characteristic of the early iron age

[Picture inserted]
FIG. B. - Bone Weaving Comb from the Broch of Kettleburn.

period in Scotland. The long-handled bone weaving-combs (fig. B.)
found in almost all brochs, and so frequently recovered from Romano-

-- c