Midhowe Broch facts for kids
Midhowe Broch
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 Location in Orkney Islands
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| Location | Rousay |
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| Coordinates | 59°09′27″N 3°06′02″W / 59.157625°N 3.10046°W |
| Type | Broch |
| History | |
| Periods | Iron Age |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Historic Scotland |
| Public access | Yes |
Midhowe Broch is an ancient stone tower from the Iron Age in Scotland. It is located on the west coast of the island of Rousay in the Orkney Islands. This amazing old building gives us clues about how people lived thousands of years ago.
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About Midhowe Broch
Midhowe Broch sits on a narrow piece of land between two steep-sided inlets. It is on the north side of Eynhallow Sound. This broch is part of an old settlement. Some of this settlement has been lost over time due to the sea wearing away the coast.
The broch got its name because it is the middle of three similar buildings. These three structures are all found within 500 metres of each other. The word Howe comes from an old Norse word, haugr, which means a mound or a hill.
Inside the Broch
The tower of the broch has an inside space that is 9 metres wide. Its walls are 4.5 metres thick. These walls still stand over 4 metres high today. The inside of the broch is filled with stone walls that divide up the space.
You can also find a water tank in the floor. This tank was fed by a natural spring. There is also a hearth, which is like a fireplace, with special holes. These holes might have held a spit for roasting food.
Surrounding Buildings
Around the main broch tower, you can see the remains of other smaller buildings. A narrow entrance allowed people to get into this protected settlement. These other buildings seem to have been built as houses at first.
Later, these buildings were used as workshops. One of these workshops still has a hearth for melting iron. A short distance to the southeast, there is also a large ancient tomb called Midhowe Chambered Cairn.
Discoveries at Midhowe
Archaeologists dug up the broch and the buildings around it between 1930 and 1933. After the digging, the site was put under special care to protect it.
What Was Found?
During the excavations, many tools made of stone and bone were found. These tools were used for things like processing grain, spinning thread, and weaving cloth. Pieces of pots called crucibles and moulds were also discovered. These items were used for working with bronze.
A small piece of a Roman bronze pot was also found. Many of the items discovered at Midhowe Broch are now on display. You can see them at the Broch of Gurness, another ancient site.
