View of octant E of the top of the Mote of Urr in process of excavation.

Description View of octant E of the top of the Mote of Urr in process of excavation.

Date 1951 to 1953

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

Catalogue Number SC 756407

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of E 96626 PO

Scope and Content Excavation of top of Mote of Urr, Dumfries & Galloway The top of the motte or mound was excavated in quadrants. This photograph shows one of the quadrants with a ranging pole marking the position of one of the timber posts that supported the central tower which crowned the motte. Brian Hope-Taylor's 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.

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File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap