Category: Articles

The Gallus Frontier – Brigantia against the Romans

The Gallus Frontier – Roman Rig and associated Iron Age Forts     The Gallus frontier, outlined in blue, south of the line, the Roman fortifications, to the north, Venutius’ kingdom. The Frontier changes made by Gallus In “Rome against Caratacus” Graham Webster put forward the proposal that Gallus was forced to remodel the existing …

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Vitrified Forts Distribution

Georgraphic Distribution One of the great mysteries of classical archaeology is the spartan worldwide distribution of vitrified forts with the exception of Scotland.. Scotland There are at least 50 such forts throughout Scotland. Among the most well-known are Dunnideer, Craig Phadraig (near Inverness), Abernathy (near Perth), Dun Lagaidh (in Ross), Cromarty, Arka-Unskel, Eilean na Goar, …

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Why Vitrify a Fort?

Why was it done and by whom? Practical reasons? Originally it was thought that the forts had become vitrified due to an enemy attack. A theory proposed by Childe in the 1930 thought it was that it was invaders, not the builders, who were assaulting the forts and then setting fire to the walls with …

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How to Vitrify a Fort

Vitrification of Hill Forts The Vitrification process Vitrification as seen in hillforts is where the surface of the rampart has been heated to temperature that the stone has melted and bonded with its neighboring stone. In some cases forming a glassy surface. The theoretical and limited practical attempts to recreate vitrification have largely been inconclusive, …

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Classification of Vitrified Forts

Exploration of vitrified fort classification Currently, there is a single grouping of vitrified forts, it is our contention that in reality only a few forts should be classified as such, and that analysis would be helped if this classification was further refined. In order to perform better asnalysis of vitrified forts, it will be neccesary …

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L’enigme des forts vitrifies

Mémo : RC-Forts vitrifiés (mise à jour mai 2001). L’énigme des forts vitrifiés C’est lors d’un voyage en Ecosse, au cours de l’été 1997, que nous avons entendu parler pour la première fois de forts vitrifiés. C’était au château d’Urqhart, au sud d’Inverness. Les monuments historiques fermant tôt, dans ce pays, nous ne pûmes voir …

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Vitrified Forts Gazeteer

INVENTORY OF THE FORTS VITRIFY (updated August 2000) by Roland Comte Translated from the original French version by an Internet engine – sorry! – SCOTLAND (10 sites) 1.1. Year Cnap (arran Iles) (source: site internet of the arran Iles);. 1.2. Barry Hill (Allyth, Perthshire) (” All that remains of this vitrified strong are has massive …

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Mystery of Vitrified Forts

The Mystery of Vitrified Hillforts by Roland Comte It was during a trip to.Scotland, in the Summer of 1997, that I first heard of vitrified hillforts. It was near Urqhart Castle, south of Inverness. As ancient monuments close early in that country, I could only see from a distance that impressive ruined fortress overlooking the …

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Guide – Mining Glossary

Mining Terms Adit or Drift A tunnel driven from the surface underground or driven between seams. Used for pumping, transport, ventillation and manriding. Afterdamp Description given to the gases (noxious) remaining in a mine after an explosion, usually with a high content of Carbon Dioxide Anvil Stone In early mining activities, ores were crushed by …

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Guide – Bronze Age Mining

Mining in the Bronze Age In the last twenty years or so, some thirty copper mining sites of Bronze Age date have been identified. This has allowed us to create a reasonably accurate picture of the tools and techniques used during the extraction of copper ores in this distant prehistoric period. It is only recently …

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