promontory fort
A promontory fort is a defensive structure located above a steep cliff, often only connected to the mainland by a small neck of land, thus utilizing the topography to reduce the ramparts needed. Although their dating is problematic, most seem to date to the Iron Age. They are mainly found in Ireland, the Isle of Man and Cornwall.
Ireland
Only a few Irish promontory forts have been excavated and most seem to date to the Iron Age, though some, like Dunbeg (Co. Kerry) might have originated in the Bronze Age. Others, like Dalkey Island (Co. Dublin) contain imported Eastern Mediterranean pottery and have been reoccupied and changed in the early medieval period. Dunbeg contains an early medieval corbelled stone hut (clochan).
Isle of Man
On the Isle of Man promontory forts are found particularly on the rocky slate headlands of the south. Four out of more than 20 have been excavated and several, especially in Santon, can be visited using the Raad Ny Foillan coastal footpath. All have a rampart on their vulnerable landward side, and excavations at Cronk ny Merriu have shown that access to the fort was via a strongly-built gate.
The Scandinavians who arrived in Mann in the eighth and ninth centuries sometimes re-used these Iron Age promontory forts, often obliterating the old domestic quarters with their characteristic rectangular houses; the fine example at Cronk ny Merriu has been used as the basis of the reconstruction in the House of Manannan museum in Peel.
Cornwall
Promontory forts can be found all along the coast of Penwith. Maen Castle, near to Land's End is one of the oldest, having been dated to around 500BC. Another is to be found at Dodman Point.
See also
References
- Nancy Edwards, The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland (London, Batsford 1990).
- Manx National Heritage - Promontory Forts
- Cronk ny Merriu MNH
- Maen Castle Retrieved 14 May 2007.
External links
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