Copy of diagrammatic section drawing of the top of the Mote of Urr.

Description Copy of diagrammatic section drawing of the top of the Mote of Urr.

Date 1951 to 1953

Collection Papers of Brian Hope-Taylor, archaeologist, Cambridge, England

Catalogue Number SC 756756

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of D 72868

Scope and Content Diagrammatic section of motte-top, Mote of Urr, Dumfries & Galloway This is an archaeological drawing of the top of the motte illustrating its principal features. A central pit, containing charcoal indicating that this was a large hearth or fireplace, can be seen in the middle. To either side of the hearth there are the post-holes for the timber uprights of the motte tower. Brian Hope-Taylor's earlier work at Abinger motte in Surrey set new standards in the examination of motte-and-bailey castles. The excavations at the Mote of Urr were devised as a comparative study in Scotland. Comparative studies are important because archaeologists can use the evidence to compare like buildings, artefacts and ideas. The Mote of Urr is one of the largest and best-preserved motte-and-bailey castles in Scotland. It was excavated in 1951 and 1953 by Dr Brian Hope-Taylor. These excavations demonstrated that the timber tower on top of the motte was destroyed in 1174 and immediately rebuilt on a grander scale. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/756756

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap