This is fascinating. To see one of these in such great condition, a condition that actually allows you to see what the text books try to explain is great.
The near circular area is surrounded by a low drystone wall, perhaps once acting as a wind-break. To one side of this there is a hearth where rocks were heated up on a fire. These rocks were then placed into the central, stone lined pit, which was filled with water. The rocks heated the water thus cooking whatever was within.
You will not see many of these exposed in such a way and so please take time to have a look at it. To be honest, this and the hut circles held more interest for me than the circle.
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_There is much speculation about what these strange structures were. The main idea is that they were cooking places, but not enough have been excavated and of those that have been none have been associated with animal bones. Another theory, and my favourite, is that they were baths. Maybe they served both purposes!
However, I think I can finally settle the matter. While we were there a lovable cat kept following us around and spent part of its time drinking from the pit. So, there you have it. It was a giant pet's water bowl!
This is an explanation of (and a bit of a disclaimer for) the coordinates I provide. Where a GPS figure is given this is the master for all other coordinates. According to my Garmin these are quite accurate. Where there is no GPS figure the 6 figure grid reference is master for the others. This may not be very accurate as it could have come from the OS maps and could have been read by eye. Consequently, all other cordinates are going to have inaccuracies. The calculation of Longitude and Latitude uses an algorithm that is not 100% accurate. The long/lat figures are used as a basis for calculating the UTM & ITM coordinates. Consequently, UTM & ITM coordinates are slightly out. UTM is a global coordinate system - Universal Transverse Mercator - that is at the core of the GPS system. ITM is the new coordinate system - Irish Transverse Mercator - that is more accurate and more GPS friendly than the Irish Grid Reference system. This will be used on the next generation of Irish OS maps. |