Cruggleton Castle Excavations

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Date 1 July 1978 - 27 August 1981

Event ID 1034173

Category Project

Type Project

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1034173

After initial excavations in 1978 Kirkdale Archaeology undertook three seasons of excavations at Cruggleton Castle from 1979-81. This was primarily due to the erosion affecting the site. Over this time four quadrants of the motte summit were excavated and by the end of 1981 the sequence of habitation after the mid-15th century was completely recorded. Unfortunatly the overall ground plans of the earlier structures are less complete so the details of these earlier phases of occupation were only partially recovered.

G Ewart 1985

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People and Organisations

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Event	Type	Subtype	Notes	Date
1084965	RECORDING	EXCAVATION	A small-scale exploratory excavation was mounted to assess the character and extent of the archaeological evidence on the site, in the summer of 1978, in view of the threat from coastal collapse. This lead on to a further three seasons of excavation. [...]	July 1978
1084966	RECORDING	EXCAVATION	NX 484427 Excavation upon the motte revealed a complex of timber and stone built structures. Four major phases have so far been highlighted. [...]	1 June 1979
1034174	RECORDING	EXCAVATION	NX 484428 During this third season of excavation, almost the entire length of 'the 13th century curtain wall surrounding the motte summit was traced on the seaward side of the site. Elements of this defensive line were very well preserved, notably a later latrine tower with associated garderobe pits (late 15th century) situated in the NE corner of the site. In the SE corner of the summit a kitchen was located, along with an associated drain and large hearth (16th century). A third phase of timber building, predating the stone castle construction, has been isolated, apparently predating the two other known timber phases. This earliest structure was only partially excavated but appears to be a large hut circle, underlying the wooden tower and hall structures, already exposed. [...]	26 March 1980

Cruggleton Castle Excavations

Related Site(s)

People and Organisations

Related Event(s)

References