As regards the deeper structures of the island, I was always of opinion, considering the amount of subsidence of its surface that had taken place, that their depth would be correspondingly great. This opinion was now shared by the engineer, contractor, and others, who judged more from the great solidity and firmness presented by the whole mass. In attempting to ascertain some further particulars by digging a hole in its centre, Mr. Mathewson writes as follows:—
"Lochspouts, 2d May 1882.
"Dear Sir,—I have been instructed by the engineer to forward to you, by Wednesday at latest, any information gained by the sinking of the central shaft in the crannog.
"The mode adopted was to open a place about 12 feet square.
"The pump forwarded was only 3 inches diameter, and it was found that three men bailing with buckets were required to enable other two men to dig.
"A large mortised oak beam was found about 18 inches below present surface; still further down a few oak beams were lifted with broken portions of transverse (soft wood) beams adhering to under surface of the oak. This was at a depth of 3 feet 6 inches. A large flat stone, near to which was a compressed mass of grass, some ferns (common bracken), and fragments of moss, was also turned up.—I am, yours faithfully,
"James Mathewson."P.S.—5.20 P.M. Men leaving. Found mortised beam (oak) with pin in hole. Beams as far as we can plunge a rod—31⁄2 feet deep."
Writing subsequently, May 11th, Mr. Mathewson says:—"The sinking of the shaft was a failure through want of depth at outlet. Oak beams with cross layers of softer wood and brushwood were found all over the bottom of shaft. Some small jaw-bones were brought up from a depth of 2 feet 6 inches below present surface, as also some compressed ferns and grasses, a small quantity of ashes, and a trace of whitish clay. On Friday evening I turned over some of the formerly unmoved oak beams at a corner of the shaft, put the spade a foot further down and turned up a sandstone which had been used as a whetstone. It was irregularly shaped, 7 inches long and 23⁄4 broad. One flat face and a sloping edge were ground smooth by whetting. It was 1 foot 6 inches below present floor. In the near surroundings of the spot I also found ashes and traces of tough whitish clay and a few bones."
Again, writing on the 16th May, Mr. Mathewson says:—"I sounded shaft to-day, and found hard beams from 3 feet 9 inches to 4 feet 3 inches below present level of excavations. The shaft is rudely 3 feet 6 inches deep. In some crevices the iron bar went down to 6 feet from top of shaft, and again struck wood."
Relics found below Upper Log-Pavement.
But the chief evidence that the section now removed from off the island represented the débris of a former habitation, is derived from the relics found among its contents, which are as follows:—
(1.) Whetstones.—Three of these implements, the most modern-like that I have yet seen, were found to the west of the junction of the gangway with the crannog, and at a depth of 2 feet 6 inches. One is rectangularly-shaped and beautifully polished on all sides. It is made of a hard dark stone, and measures 71⁄4 × 1-3/8 × 7/8 inches; another is a smooth slightly oval-shaped rod, 51⁄2 inches long and about 3⁄4 inch in diameter; the other is about the same length, but of a roughly quadrangular shape.
(2.) Wooden Implements.—A semi-globular piece of soft wood, 7 inches in diameter, and having a shallow cavity cut out of its flat surface, measuring 5 inches in diameter, and a uniform depth of 11⁄2 inch. Another cup-shaped vessel or implement, also of soft wood, was surrounded by a deep groove, across which were seen the remains of small wooden pins, some nine or ten in number, which penetrated through both its rims. The diameter of the central cup was 51⁄2 inches, and that of the whole vessel (including the outer rim, the groove, and the rim of the cup), 81⁄4 inches. A third article of wood consisted of a smooth flat beam of oak, 3 feet 6 inches long, 1 foot broad, and 4 inches thick, having a deep groove at one edge, and a stout pin-like projection from one end, as if it had other attachments. In the centre of this beam there was a round hole over which lay a handle-like elevation cut out of the solid, and having not only a vertical hole corresponding with the one in the lower portion, but also another passing horizontally through it, and immediately between the two former. This handle-like elevation was 2 feet 1 inch long, 41⁄2 inches broad, and rose into a slight arch in the middle, where the horizontal hole passed underneath, and in the line of continuation of the latter there was, on both sides, a slight hollow, as if worn out of the beam by friction. The whole was cut out of one piece of solid oak. These articles were found at a depth of about 2 feet below the former log pavement.
(3.) Bronze Ornament.—A double-spiral ornament of bronze wire, having six twists at one end and three at the other, was found at a depth of 1 foot 6 inches, and near the centre of the island. Its length is 15⁄8 inch (Fig. 260).
Fig. 260.—Bronze Ornament (1⁄1).
(4.) Jet Ring.—This article was found at a depth of 11⁄2 foot. Its diameter is 11⁄8 inch. The inside looks as if worn in one or two places by friction.
Besides the above, some hammer-stones, a quern, and two fragments of very rude pottery were found.
Articles found while removing the Stuff formerly wheeled from off the Mound, i.e. above the Upper Log-Pavement.
Fig. 261.—Outline of Crystal Ornament (1⁄1).