31904: ECC 6.6 Eilean Chalium Cille – FIELD SYSTEM (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Summary:

FIELD SYSTEM (Post Medieval – 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Feannagan or lazybed field system

Location:

NB 38025 21212

Full description:

"Situated above the northern shores of Eilean Chalium Cille, this area of cultivation consists of hand dug lazybeds of feannagan, typical of the pre-crofting field systems seen on Lewis. Overall, this field system measures ca 40 metres from north to south and 50 metres from east to west. Throughout the extent of the cultivation are a number of field clearance cairns of various shapes and sizes (6.2-6.5). These appear to respect the cultivation and be related to the preparation of those feannagan." (Burgess 2004, 77)

References:

Chris Burgess, Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. Northamptonshire Archaeology Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of Eilean Chalium Chille and the Putative Site of the Seaforth Head Castle. Part No Loch Seaforth Head Gazeteer.

Acknowledgement:

Information provided by Western Isles Council Sites & Monuments Record, January 2006.