Condition

2
Crannog
Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age
43402
7952
West Dunbartonshire

Description

The Dumbuck crannog was discovered within the tidal water of the River Clyde, and excavated in 1898. Substantial structural remains found in the 19th century were resurveyed at low tide periods during the summer of 1997. The survey revealed a circular wooden platform surrounded by 22 piles. The internal platform consists of surface horizontal timbers aligned both radically and circumferentially. Around the platform is a circular stone 'breakwater'. Other features include the remains of a central circular feature, referred to in 1900 as a ?stone-walled cavity ... with wattle or basket-work'. Previous investigations referred to a dock structure to the E of the site, but this could not be found. The 19th-century spoil heap and fence post, which held a sign during excavation open days, were found. The site is approximately 50m from the present HWM and becomes completely covered by high tide. It appears to be under threat from marine erosion which has badly damaged the surface piles and horizontal timbers. A G C Hale 1997. Inaccessible at time of visit. ShoreUPDATE December 2015 There appears to be more exposure of timbers since personal last visit in 1997, especially in northern section of the site (see sketch plan with exposed timbers marked in red imposed on Alex Hale's plan - and attached slides. The site of the 'port' on its east side is now not visible other than a very shallow gully ShoreUPDATE June 2017 As described, visible remains similar to those described on previous surveys

Location

241570.00
673920.00
27700
55.9321594
-4.5376215

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
June 2017: wooden piles of Dumbuck crannog 19/06/2017 June 2017: wooden piles of Dumbuck crannog Tom
June 2017: wooden piles of Dumbuck crannog
June 2017: surveying and filming, Dumbuck Croannog 19/06/2017 June 2017: surveying and filming, Dumbuck Croannog Tom
June 2017: surveying and filming, Dumbuck Croannog
June 2017: view across riverbank 19/06/2017 June 2017: view across riverbank Tom
June 2017: view across riverbank
June 2017: general view 19/06/2017 June 2017: general view Tom
June 2017: general view
Detail of wooden posts of crannog structure 09/07/2006 Detail of wooden posts of crannog structure ianm
Detail of wooden posts of crannog structure
Wooden posts on south side of site 09/07/2006 Wooden posts on south side of site ianm
Wooden posts on south side of site
View across site looking upriver 09/07/2006 View across site looking upriver ianm
View across site looking upriver
ACFA recording the crannog 09/07/2006 ACFA recording the crannog ianm
ACFA recording the crannog
ACFA plan of crannog 2006 survey 09/07/2006 ACFA plan of crannog 2006 survey ianm
ACFA plan of crannog 2006 survey
View of crannog showing wooden posts 09/07/2006 View of crannog showing wooden posts ianm
View of crannog showing wooden posts
View across the site towards the river channel 09/07/2006 View across the site towards the river channel ianm
View across the site towards the river channel
View from crannog edge to shore 26/11/2015 View from crannog edge to shore ianm
View from crannog edge to shore
Donnelly's spoil heap 26/11/2015 Donnelly's spoil heap ianm
Donnelly's spoil heap
East arc of revetting posts 26/11/2015 East arc of revetting posts ianm
East arc of revetting posts
Dumbuck Crannog and Dumbarton Rock 26/11/2015 Dumbuck Crannog and Dumbarton Rock ianm
Dumbuck Crannog and Dumbarton Rock
Exposed timbers with ranging poles. 26/11/2015 Exposed timbers with ranging poles. ianm
Exposed timbers with ranging poles.
Exposed timbers on east sector view to Erskine Bridge. 26/11/2015 Exposed timbers on east sector view to Erskine Bridge. ianm
Exposed timbers on east sector view to Erskine Bridge.
Sketch plan of exposed timbers Nov.2015. 26/11/2015 Sketch plan of exposed timbers Nov.2015. ianm
Sketch plan of exposed timbers Nov.2015.

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
3321 19/06/2017 training1
Description ShoreUPDATE June 2017 As described, visible remains similar to those described on previous surveys
2333 26/11/2015 ianm
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Intertidal
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Threats water erosion (e.g. stream, etc)
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Visibility in section Not visible
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge is well known; has local associations/history
Description The Dumbuck crannog was discovered within the tidal water of the River Clyde, and excavated in 1898. Substantial structural remains found in the 19th century were resurveyed at low tide periods during the summer of 1997. The survey revealed a circular wooden platform surrounded by 22 piles. The internal platform consists of surface horizontal timbers aligned both radically and circumferentially. Around the platform is a circular stone 'breakwater'. Other features include the remains of a central circular feature, referred to in 1900 as a ?stone-walled cavity ... with wattle or basket-work'. Previous investigations referred to a dock structure to the E of the site, but this could not be found. The 19th-century spoil heap and fence post, which held a sign during excavation open days, were found. The site is approximately 50m from the present HWM and becomes completely covered by high tide. It appears to be under threat from marine erosion which has badly damaged the surface piles and horizontal timbers. A G C Hale 1997. Inaccessible at time of visit. ShoreUPDATE November 2015 There appears to be more exposure of timbers since personal last visit in 1997, especially in northern section of the site (see sketch plan with exposed timbers marked in red imposed on Alex Hale's plan - and attached slides. The site of the 'port' on its east side is now not visible other than a very shallow gully
Annual inspection visits with sketch plans and measurements of visible timbers.
Comments There appears to be more exposure of timbers since personal last visit in 1997, especially in northern section of the site (see sketch plan with exposed timbers marked in red imposed on Alex Hale's plan - and attached slides. The site of the 'port' on its east side is now not visible other than a very shallow gully.

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