A 5,000-Year-Old Artificial Island Was Built in the Middle of a Lake
Artificial islands are by no means a novel concept. Thousands of years ago, people were already establishing living and meeting spaces in the midst of water. One of the oldest examples of this could be a crannog studied in a lake in Scotland. Researchers have revealed that the artificial island in Loch Bhorgastail is more than 5,000 years old. This places the structure in a timeframe that closely aligns with that of Stonehenge.
The artificial island in the middle of the lake turned out to be over 5,000 years old.
In Scotland, small artificial islands known as crannogs can be found in lakes, or lochs as they are locally known. These islands are typically constructed from wood, stone, and bundles of brushwood. For a long time, it was believed that many of these crannogs dated back to the Iron Age. However, recent research conducted at Loch Bhorgastail on the Isle of Lewis has revealed that some examples may be much older than previously thought.
Researchers have determined that the crannog they studied is over 5,000 years old. This timeline places the structure in the Neolithic period, meaning that this artificial island could have been constructed around the same time as Stonehenge in England. This discovery could potentially alter existing assumptions about the history of artificial islands in Scotland.
Neolithic humans may have been cultivating the island for centuries.
It is believed that the structure in Loch Bhorgastail was initially established as a circular wooden platform with a diameter of about 23 meters. However, it doesn't seem like the island was built and then left untouched. Researchers suggest that over time, people expanded the structure by adding bundles of brushwood, stones, and other materials. This implies that the island could have been a communal space used over generations.
During the excavations, hundreds of Neolithic pottery shards were also discovered. The presence of food residues on some pieces indicates that this place was more than a simple shelter. The island could have been used for mass gatherings, food preparation, and grand feasts. Additionally, a submerged stone passage connecting the island to the shore was identified. This detail reveals that the structure was not as isolated as it appears today at some point in history.
New discoveries may be on the horizon in shallow waters.
The striking aspect of this discovery is not just the age of the artificial island. Researchers also employed a novel imaging method for working in shallow water areas. Shallow waters pose a serious problem in archaeology. The methods used on land don't work here, and deep-sea vehicles can't operate efficiently in shallow areas around one meter deep.
To overcome this issue, the team combined drone imagery with waterproof stereo cameras used by divers. This allowed for the creation of a detailed 3D model that encompassed both underwater and coastal structures.
This method could facilitate a clearer examination of other hidden artificial islands and archaeological traces in lakes across Scotland. Therefore, the crannog found in Loch Bhorgastail is not just an ancient island; it also opens a new door for archaeology in shallow waters.
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