An interview with Duncan Garrow about the Crannogs of Lewis

This time we bring you an interview with Professor Duncan Garrow. Duncan teaches later European prehistory at Reading University (with a particular focus on Neolithic and Bronze Age Britain) and archaeological theory. His research interests include long-term histories of deposition; burial practice and material culture; island archaeologies; archaeological theory; and the integration of developer-funded and university-based archaeology.

His latest work in the field has been on the Isle of Lewis, excavating and diving on the crannogs of Loch Bhorgastail - barely a few miles from the stones of Calanais.

🔵 PATREON:
We have a friendly and enthusiastic Patreon community helping us create our content through monthly subscription. Get access to exclusive (ad-free!) content, be on the inside track of what we're up to and help us build the channel at

🔵 BUY ME A COFFEE:
If you want to show some love to the Prehistory Guys but don't want the commitment of a monthly subscription, you can make a on off donation by following the link below. NOTE: all single donations are going forward to production of a new film next year: STANDING WITH STONES 2!

[robertbrennan]

Love these podcasts. Thank you "Prehistory Guys". there is so much armchair rubbish on Youtube - and various "dirt archaeology", patient, painstaking, able to remain in a state of questioning enquiry actually pieces togther a picture of the distant past - oh how nauseating all that other "alternative" stuff there are a few really helpful archaeologically informed You
tube series. Yours is among these important & illuminating educative resources. Great stuff!

[TheSduce]

Fascinating, has anyone ever taken a look at the Harris crannogs? The one at Rodel has long fascinated me as has the one at the end of Langavat, especially with its proximity to the stone rows at Holasmul. Thanks for this interesting interview.

[ChristophersMum]

Just trying to tie in my mind these people having a great hoolie of a time throwing their dishes and pots into the water...with the somewhat restrained Presbyterian folks from my childhood and the two don't seem to mix...boy things were fun!

[kariannecrysler]

It would make an excellent neutral point for different groups to gather. As well as the importance of being on the waters. Heck I would be down right honored if when I passed people gather at a place like that to celebrate my life and toast me on my journey lol 😊 The pub for the Neolithic

[kevinreillydenmylne]

the volume of stone required and the effort to make this island is supposidly huge, a far greater project than calanais.

[jimmyviaductophilelawley]

Hail Michael! Hail Rupert!...thought i'd give you my point of view on my slavery question:
I think it's highly probable that the currency of tribal societies in neolithic Britain were (as well as precious metals and minerals) was cattle and slaves and Avebury and Stonehenge in particular were public demonstrations of tribal status. ie we can move stones THIS big because we are rich in cattle and slaves. I think it was more of a case of whiplashing than stonehugging!
There's my latest pet theory in a nutshell. Hope you see this before tomorrow and look forward to hearing your points of view. Best wishes and take care

[TheDanEdwards]

Wondering about sea level changes. 5.5kya the sea level would have been lower by a few meters, at least globally. Has anyone done an a survey of sea level at the Crannogs of Lewis back in that part of the neolithic? Also, did humans deforest the region before the Crannogs?

[rosehart]

Do you think the ancients had their feast and then just said blow the washing up and chucked everything away?

[silasvongreenback]

Despite this highly theoretical anti midgie evidence, a small fire on a crannog will produce more than enough smoke to counter any assault by these pernicious insects. Such fiendish aerial predators are unable to traverse large bodies of open water and consistently lay their eggs in the boggy terrain of the nearby shores. Therefore these opportunist carnivores that have been persecuting Dr Garrow would potentially represent some form of rogue element in the midgie community. Indeed they may have followed him to the crannog in anticipation of his imminent sanguination. In no way can we honestly consider this anecdotal evidence to represent a comprehensive debunking of the dominant midgie theory.