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Ancient Island in Scotland Reveals Hidden Wooden Foundation
Archaeologists have discovered that a prehistoric artificial island in Loch Bhorgastail on the Isle of Lewis was built on a large wooden platform hidden beneath its stone surface.
The site, known as a crannog, appears today as a stone island, but new excavation work by researchers from the University of Southampton has shown that timber formed the main structural base. The wooden foundation dates to around 3500–3300 BC, making it part of the Neolithic period.
The island was first created more than 5,000 years ago as a circular wooden platform about 23 meters wide, covered with layers of brushwood. Later activity changed the site over time, with additional brushwood and stone added during the Middle Bronze Age, followed by further use in the Iron Age.
Researchers also found hundreds of pieces of Neolithic pottery in the surrounding water, adding to evidence that the site held special importance for the communities that built and used it.
A submerged stone causeway connects the crannog to the shore, suggesting planned access to the island. To document the site, archaeologists used photogrammetry to create detailed digital models above and below the waterline.
Because shallow underwater recording is difficult, the team developed a new method using two waterproof cameras mounted on a fixed frame and guided by a diver. This allowed the researchers to produce highly accurate images of the submerged remains.
The discovery shows that the construction of crannogs required major planning, resources, and skilled labour. Although their exact purpose remains uncertain, the effort involved suggests that these artificial islands had significant social or ceremonial value.
Published on: 04-05-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: BBC
