Excavations at Lochrutton T.ake-Dwelling. 247 



not exposed correspond. The pavement is more or less decayed, 

 but few of the timbers are wanting. The most perfect part lies 

 towards the north side of the island, and is partly detailed on the 

 plan. It is regular, close jointed, and even, and comparatively 

 sound. 



The disposition of the timbers is peculiar. They are 

 arranged in groups, lying in different directions, and the pieces 

 are sometimes assorted in equal lengths as if prepared beforehand 

 to go together. In the case of a forked piece a filler is inserted. 

 The axe has been used to cut the pieces to the lengths required. 



Another detail presents itself. A thin bed of stones is found 

 between the log pavement and the layer of logs below it. The 

 purpose the stones were meant to serve seems to be to fill up the 

 inequalities of the lower layer and raise the smaller timbers of the 

 pavement itself in order to secure a straight upper surface. 

 Remaining inequalities were then reduced by the use of the axe. 

 The swelled lower end of a large trunk i8 inches in diameter, 

 for instance, was observed to be reduced to the general level in 

 this way, and other timbers exhibit marks of similar treatment. 



At the point marked E on the plan a flat stone was exposed, 

 not large, but with others seemingly displaced, sufficient to form 

 a hearth, and that such was its purpose, I think the presence of 

 considerable quantities of charcoal proved. The hearth lay 

 almost immediately over the log pavement. 



Remains of super-imposed works near the north margin of 

 the island are shown on the plan. One of these consists of two 

 parallel oak logs, 9 to lo feet in length, 1 1 inches by 6 in section, 

 and 8 feet apart, overlying the floor. The logs are squared by 

 means of an axe. Each exhibits three mortice-holes on the upper 

 side, and pinholes passing through them at right angles ; and 

 fragments of two upright tenoned pieces measuring 6 inches \:y 5 

 on the section, reduced on the tenon to 5 inches by 5, and holed 

 for the reception of the pins, were still in position. The logs 

 were fixed in position by pins of oak driven into the floor. 



A squared oak block 10^ inches by 8, and 4 feet 2 inches in 

 length, rebated at the ends and grooved in the middle, described 

 in the former Paper, and exhibited, lay about 10 feet south of, 

 and at right angles with, the logs just described. 



Another observable feature consists of a double line of logs, 

 forming a raised ledge 8 inches high and 18 inches wide (H H). 



