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Archaeologists find secret chamber at Drum Castle
Scotsman, STAHB ^ | Thursday, July 4, 2013 | Frank Urquhart

Posted on 07/06/2013 12:33:35 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

Drum Castle, the seat of the Chief of Clan Irvine for centuries, has the oldest keep in Scotland and is the oldest intact building in the care of the trust.

The trust is planning to bring in specialists to remove cement pointing on the ancient tower and replace it with traditional, breathable lime mortar to help preserve the historic keep.

And the hidden chamber -- complete with its medieval toilet -- was uncovered while initial archaeological investigations were being conducted by Dr Jonathan Clark from FAS Heritage.

Dr Clark...: "We were surprised that when we carefully unblocked the windows and peered in, and through the dim light of a torch and the mists of dust and trapped for centuries, to find a perfectly preserved medieval chamber, complete with the remains of the guarderobe (toilet) including the remains of the original toilet seat and the original entrance doorway for the medieval hall."

...The archaeologists also discovered a second secret chamber in the tower today as their investigations continued.

Dr Clark revealed: "As work continued this morning, we made another exciting discovery -- a second chamber which legend says is where Mary Irvine hid her brother for three years after defeat in the Battle of Culloden. This is a huge discovery for Drum.

(Excerpt) Read more at scotsman.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: castle; drumcastle; ggg; godsgravesglyphs; scotland; scotlandyet
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To: eCSMaster

that’s “aural sects”


21 posted on 07/07/2013 7:06:54 AM PDT by Mr. K (There are lies, damned lies, statistics, and democrat talking points.)
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To: SunkenCiv
David Macaulay/Motel of the Mysteries ping:




22 posted on 07/07/2013 7:20:07 AM PDT by tanknetter
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To: SunkenCiv
What is pictured is the Jacobean addition. The side view reveals the medieval tower, the oldest part of the Castle.


23 posted on 07/08/2013 1:57:42 PM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: tanknetter

I saw this once long ago- and have been looking for it, ever since. Thanks!


24 posted on 07/08/2013 4:24:28 PM PDT by Riley (The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column.)
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To: Riley
I saw this once long ago- and have been looking for it, ever since. Thanks!

You're welcome! I was really into the Macaulay books as a kid - kept them checked out from the local/school library endlessly (well, not so much, I eventually did give them back).

About four years ago the National Building Museum in Washington DC had a Macaulay exhibit. And a heck of a lot of his books in the bookstore (on discount too!) Having much more disposable income than I did when I was 12, I bought all the ones I remembered - Motel of the Mysteries, Unbuilding, Cathedral, Pyramid (although I think his proposed construction methods have been overtaken by new theories), and Castle. Also Mill, which I hadn't seen before.
25 posted on 07/08/2013 6:34:35 PM PDT by tanknetter
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To: lepton

I think that’s an optical illusion due to looking up-slope towards the building.


26 posted on 07/09/2013 7:51:55 PM PDT by mbj
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