Yesterday, I was unaware of the term “galleried dùn,” but today I came across another one. This is Dùn Ardtreck and is located at Ardtreck Point, near the entrance to Loch Harport. I must say, it is even more remarkable than yesterday’s.
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure about the difference between a galleried dùn and a broch. And just to add to my confusion, this particular structure is often referred to as a “semi-broch.”
This dùn is certainly semicircular, situated near the edge of a cliff that drops about 15 meters directly into the sea. Archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s revealed that the galleried wall — a double skinned wall with galleries and staircases — potentially reached a height of 6 meters. During the excavations, small fragments of charcoal were found in the foundation, and radiocarbon dating determined that they dated back to a period between 170 BC and AD 1101‘Skye, Dun Ardtreck | Canmore’. 2023. Canmore.org.uk <https://canmore.org.uk/site/11064/skye-dun-ardtreck> [accessed 4 June 2023].
The excavations suggest a major fire occured, after which the upper walls were dismantled, and the lintels removed from the passageway. Subsequently, the ruined structure was inhabited once again, and various domestic items that were discovered date for this period. These objects included iron tools, bronze ornaments, glass-paste ring-heads, as well as fragments of Samian pottery and a Roman bead.
- 1‘Skye, Dun Ardtreck | Canmore’. 2023. Canmore.org.uk <https://canmore.org.uk/site/11064/skye-dun-ardtreck> [accessed 4 June 2023]
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