Posted on 08/23/2013 6:03:38 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
A medieval castle in the Highlands has revealed signs of its bloody past after a musket ball and cannonball were found by archaeologists.
The artifacts are the latest discoveries by the team tasked with excavating Mingary Castle in west Ardnamurchan, Lochaber, for the first time.
The castle is thought to be the best preserved 13th-century castle in Scotland.
The musket ball is just under an inch in diameter and has been described as being “extremely heavy” due to having a high lead content.
It is also slightly flattened on one side which historians believe indicates it came into contact with a solid surface such as the castle wall.
The musket ball and cannonball were both found in the moat.
The cannon ball was found in four pieces.
Previous finds from the excavation include the charred remains of the sandstone castle archway, which it is believed were destroyed in an attack by Alasdair MacColla Mac-Donald in 1645.
The castle was occupied by the Campbells at that time and it is thought Mac-Donald was acting on behalf of the Duke of Montrose.
Other finds include pottery, a barbed iron arrowhead, coins, bones and another cannonball.
The well-preserved castle near the most westerly point of the British mainland was a stronghold for several clan chiefs and the Lords of the Isles, who ruled the Scottish islands.
The site is believed to have close links to Somerled, a 12th-century leader of mixed Norse and Gaelic descent.
(Excerpt) Read more at scotsman.com ...
That’s where all the .380 went!
For the last time, it wasn’t me!
I wouldn’t leave evidence behind!
;’)
Nice work. Build your castle at the bottom of a valley so it will be easy to destroy by invaders.
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