Waterlogged timbers have been found in our trench across the inner moat, preserved in the permanently wet silt deposits. At the end of the trench nearest the castle mound (the south-eastern end), part of a large, square cross-sectioned timber with two peg holes in one side has been revealed. This was probably part of the medieval bridge structure. Other waterlogged finds from the moat include a tapering wooden peg.

In the southern corner of the castle, an interesting, steep-sided pit is being investigated. One of the castle's drains ran across the top of the pit after it had been filled in. A stone partition wall, also built over the backfilled pit, has slumped into it (see image).

LATEST FINDS

Quantities of metalworking debris continue to be found in the workshop area near the northern corner tower. Debris from the bases of furnaces is present, along with pieces of vitrified clay and fuel materials. Fragments of pottery have been found in the zone of burning pre-dating the hall.

VISITORS

A new attraction for visitors to Caerlaverock Castle is a reconstruction of a trebuchet (a medieval siege engine; see image). We often include this in our guided tours, along with its smaller cousin, a reconstruction of a mangonel. The presence of these two siege engines is a reminder of sieges endured by inhabitants of the castle in centuries past, including one in 1300, recounted in the poem Le siège de Karlaverock. Next year will be the 700th anniversary of this siege.

One of the best ways to find out about the two castles here at Caerlaverock, the local landscape in medieval times, and, of course, all the latest results of our archaeological dig at the old castle, is to come along on one of our regular guided tours of the site. Tours leave regularly from our exhibition centre (housed in a yellow portacabin). Many of our visitors so far this summer have been from overseas, from Europe, America and Asia.

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