Posted on 08/17/2005 4:54:27 PM PDT by blam
Dig reveals more of isles' bloody history
JOHN ROSS
NEW evidence of bloody clan battles at a medieval stronghold in the Western Isles has been unearthed by archaeologists.
A team from Glasgow University has revealed a fortified settlement on Dun Eistean, a sea stack on the north-east coast of Lewis, thought to have been a refuge and spiritual home for the Clan Morrison 400 to 800 years ago.
The discovery of musket balls, a lookout tower and a defensive wall around the perimeter of the island points to battles with the Morrisons' fierce rivals, including the Macaulays.
Rachel Barrowman and her team found a square tower buried beneath a mound of rubble during a recent dig at the site. The tower is on the highest point of the stack and looks out across the Minch.
Ms Barrowman said: "The square tower was probably a lookout, defending the settlement on the stack. Excavations have begun to uncover evidence for the bloodier episodes in the site's history, including finds of musket balls and a defensive wall around the perimeter of the island."
Ms Barrowman added: "We have also discovered evidence of a gatehouse and other small buildings defending the entrance to the stack. Two of the buildings have been excavated. Each has a central peat hearth and is built from low stone and turf banks.
"The results from this first short season of excavation have been very promising and have confirmed the archaeological potential of the site."
Further investigations will be carried out over the next six weeks, and a series of seminars will be held this winter in Ness to discuss the results.
In the medieval period the Western Isles differed from mainland Scotland, being culturally Scandinavian and politically part of Norway from 800 to 1300.
With the demise of the Norse political control, powerful competing clans emerged.
The local traditions and stories relating to Dun Eistean, and the rival clans of Morrison and Macaulay in particular, emerge from this often violent period in Lewis's history.
GGG Ping.
Ping.
One of my favorites too.
"Scientists have discovered that Targett is a direct descendant of Cheddar Man, the name given to a 9,000-year-old skeleton found in a cave in the town of Cheddar, England. (Yes, where they make the cheese!) "I've been in the cave a few times," says Targett, "but I never realized it was home."
I thought it was Taggert too but, this article says Targett.
I have told every friend, every neighbor, and every relative this story. Most are incredibly impressed. Then again some just don't get the significance of such a find. I'm sorry for them. :o)
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Ever tried to find any facts on the Morris clan?
Very little information..
What there is contradicts what someone else says..
Personal opinion..
Whatever Clan Morris did was so foul, the name and heraldry was destroyed for all time.. never to be mentioned again...
I think it had to do with the Queen's chambermaid..
Whatever Clan Morris did was so foul, the name and heraldry was destroyed for all time.. never to be mentioned again...
I think it had to do with the Queen's chambermaid.
I heard they changed their name to Clinton and moved to America. Genes will 'out' from jeans.
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