2012

NS3779 : Remains of a square structure

taken 11 years ago, near to Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Remains of a square structure
Remains of a square structure
I was not the discoverer of this structure: it was pointed out to me in 2010 by fellow contributor Stan Campbell, who had previously picked out this site in satellite imagery. I subsequently visited and photographed the site, and submitted a report about it to WoSAS on his behalf (specifying that he be given credit for this interesting find).

Click on the end-note title for other pictures of the structure.

The present photograph shows the north-western corner of the enclosure; the substantial wall is clearly visible, as is as the ditch that lies immediately to its outside.

It is also evident from the picture that the site commands a view of the lower Vale of Leven (down in the haze), the Kilpatrick Hills (background, left to centre), and Dumbarton Rock (in the haze at the far right).

I cannot say how old this structure is; there has been much activity here at different periods. For example, some Roman remains look quite similar (NS2973 : Lurg Moor Roman fortlet). In addition, the summit of Carman Hill is nearby, and is occupied by a hill-fort that has never been excavated, but which is thought to date from the Early Historic Period (the centuries after the Romans left Britain). Also, in recent times, the hill was the site of Carman Cattle Fair, which petered out in the last decade of the nineteenth century.

The body of water on the right is NS3778 : Carman Reservoir (see the map).
Square enclosure near Carman Hill

A square enclosure, 45 metres to a side, is bounded by a low ridge surrounded by a ditch. It is of uncertain age, but it is centred on a point 200 metres to the north-east of the inner enclosure of Carman Hill-Fort (see Link for the fort). Although there is higher ground on three sides, the location commands a view of the Vale of Leven, the Kilpatrick Hills, and Dumbarton Rock. See LinkExternal link for an annotated satellite view, showing the square enclosure to the NNE of the hill-fort.

(The enclosure was found, on satellite imagery, by Geograph contributor Stan Campbell — Link — who mentioned it to me; I later visited the site, and sent a report on his behalf to WoSAS, to ensure that the find would be properly credited to him.)


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Lairich Rig and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Historic sites and artefacts other tags: Archaeology Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
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Grid Square
NS3779, 116 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Lairich Rig   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Friday, 30 November, 2012   (more nearby)
Submitted
Thursday, 31 October, 2013
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NS 3728 7966 [10m precision]
WGS84: 55:58.9348N 4:36.5808W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NS 3726 7967
View Direction
East-southeast (about 112 degrees)
Clickable map
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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