Oakbank Crannog
'... it was the only site where the timber stumps of a walkway survived ...'
The first ever underwater excavation of a crannog began in 1980, at Oakbank Crannog. It was chosen because it was the only site where the timber stumps of a walkway survived and organic remains were visible before excavation.
The radiocarbon date of 595BC+/-60 placed it approximately in the transition period between the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. Logistically it afforded good access and camping provision for a small dive team. This is where the underwater search for clues about the ancient loch-dwellers began, and teams have carried out periodic excavation there, and in other lochs, ever since.
Oakbank is a wholly submerged, large stony mound, with what appears to be an annexe, or smaller mound, attached at its western extremity. The stones are heavy and covered with slippery green algae, which makes them difficult to handle. As the rock removal is a laborious task only small areas are ‘opened’ or exposed at any one time. Part of the site is still shrouded in this stone mantle.
Published: 2005-01-25
