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Fogou

The word Fogou or Fougou as it can also be spelt, derives from 'fogo' which was the Cornish word for cave. A fogou (pronounced "foo-goo") is an underground structure which is found in many Iron Age defended settlements throughout northern Europe including Cornwall and in northern Scotland including the Orkney Islands.

Construction

Fogous consist of a buried, corbelled stone wall, tapering at the top and capped by stone slabs. They were mainly constructed by excavating a sloping trench about 5 ft (1.5 m) wide and 6 ft (1.8 m) deep, lining it with drystone walling as stated, which was battered inwards and roofed with flat slabs; soil from excavation was heaped on top as at Pendeen Vau or incorporated in the rampart of the enclosure as at Halliggye Fogou, Trelowarren.

Function

The purpose of a fogou is no longer known, and there is little evidence to suggest what it might have been. It has been conjectured that they were used for religious purposes, as refuges, or for food storage. Many are orientated south-west-north-east, facing the prevailing wind. Their central location in settlements and the work which evidently went into constructing them is indicative of their importance to the community, which gives credence to a religious or ceremonial function.

The word derives from the Celtic *ifócw, meaning a cave. Locals in Cornwall called them 'fuggy-holes.' Being open at both ends a fogou could provide ideal conditions for food storage,especially the drying of meat. Ashpits found at Trewardreva and in the circular side-chamber at Carn Euny were probably for preserving gulls eggs, as was done on Saint Kilda. A layer of black greasy mould with charcoal, animals and bird bones at Treveneague is also very suggestive of food storage. A statement made by Diodorus Siculus was that Iron Age people in Britain stored their grain in 'underground repositories', adding contemporary evidence to the speculation that they were mainly used for food storage.

History & Archaeology

Tacitus describes the Germans hollowing out underground caves, covering them with manure and using them as storehouses and refuges from winter frosts. He also claimed that they hid in their boltholes to escape detection by raiders. Fogous may have had a similar function to the underground Kivas of the Native Americans.

Fogous are sometimes called 'earth houses' or souterrains. An example of an excavated Souterrain is the site at Rosal, strath Naver, Sutherland. In this example no finds were made inside the structure and the roof may have been only partially covered with stones, a timber roof being present on part of it. It was suggested that souterrains could have been used as byres or barns. Fogous are often associated with dwellings such as Iron Age villages.

Petrospheres or 'Stone Balls' have been found in souterrains and, as possible symbols of power within prehistoric society, this discovery suggest a use other than basic storage of food and resources.

Fougou Sites

Halliggye Fogou on the Trelowarren estate is generally accepted to be the largest and best surviving fogou. It is recommended by the Reader's Digest guide. It is signed from the B3293 near Garras off the A3083. The site is open daily from April through to October. OSGB grid reference SW 17129,02395, Lat/Long 50.07162 N, 5.19749W

Other unspoiled fogous survive at Carn Euny; Boleigh near Lamorna; Pendeen and at Trewardreva near Constantine which is known locally as Pixie's Hall or Piskey Hall.

Partially destroyed fogous exist at Chysauster which is in the care of English Heritage and which has been blocked up for safety; at Upper Boden near Manaccan and at Lower Boscaswell close to Pendeen.

Evidence of possible former fogous can be found at Porthmeor; at Higher Bodinar; at Castallack and at Treveneague. Another was found during rescue excavations at Penhale Round on the A30, the most easterly example, but this has since been destroyed.

One of the northern-most fogou sites is Castle Bloody on the island of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands of Scotland.