This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Broch" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR(August 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Broch of Mousa
In archaeology, a broch/brɒx/ is an Iron Age drystone hollow-walled structure found in Scotland. Brochs belong to the classification "complex Atlantic roundhouse" devised by Scottish archaeologists in the 1980s.
Brochs are roundhouse buildings found throughout Atlantic Scotland. The word broch is derived from the Lowland Scots 'brough', meaning fort. In the mid-19th century, Scottish antiquaries called brochs 'burgs', after Old Norse borg, with the same meaning. Brochs are often referred to as dùns in the west, and they are the most spectacular of a complex class of buildings found in northern Scotland. There are approximately 571 candidate broch sites throughout the country, according to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
The origin of brochs is still subject to ongoing research. While most archaeologists believed 80 years ago that brochs were built by immigrants, there is now little doubt that the hollow-walled broch tower was an invention in what is now Scotland. The first brochs may have been built circa 300 BC,[1] and there is evidence to suggest that they were used primarily for defensive or offensive purposes.
The distribution of brochs is centred on northern Scotland, with the densest concentrations found in Caithness, Sutherland, and the Northern Isles. A few examples occur in the Scottish Borders and on the west coast of Dumfries and Galloway, and near Stirling. The original interpretation of brochs was that they were defensive structures, places of refuge for the community and their livestock. They were sometimes regarded as the work of Danes or Picts, and from the 1930s to the 1960s, archaeologists regarded them as castles where local landowners held sway over a subject population.
However, the castle theory fell from favour among Scottish archaeologists in the 1980s, due to a lack of supporting archaeological evidence. These archaeologists suggested defensibility was never a major concern in the siting of a broch, and argued that they may have been the "stately homes" of their time, objects of prestige and very visible demonstrations of superiority for important families. Once again, however, there is a lack of archaeological proof for this reconstruction, and the sheer number of brochs makes it problematic. The article concludes by stating that the purpose of brochs may have been a combination of defensive, offensive, and symbolic functions.
In archaeology, a broch /brɒx/ is an Iron Age drystone hollow-walled structure found in Scotland. Brochs belong to the classification "complex Atlantic...
Hermann Broch (German: [bʁɔx]; 1 November 1886 – 30 May 1951) was an Austrian writer, best known for two major works of modernist fiction: The Sleepwalkers...
Gamborg. He was a brother of Hjalmar Broch, Olaf Broch, Lagertha Broch and Nanna Broch, father of Lisbeth Broch, and father-in-law of Vilhelm Evang. He...
Broch of Mousa (or Mousa Broch) is a preserved Iron Age broch or round tower. It is on the island of Mousa in Shetland, Scotland. It is the tallest broch...
Hugo Broch (born 6 January 1922) is a German Luftwaffe ace during the Second World War who is credited with 81 victories in 324 missions, all on the Eastern...
Anthony Zincke Broch. She was a sister of the children's writer Lagertha Broch, the zoologist Hjalmar Broch and the linguist Olaf Broch. Broch was appointed...
Ida Elise Broch (born 25 June 1987) is a Norwegian actress. She is the half-sister of Nicolai Cleve Broch and Christian Cleve Broch. Broch played Catherine...
The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village on the northeast coast of Mainland Orkney in Scotland overlooking Eynhallow Sound, about 15 miles north-west...
was a brother of children's writer Lagertha Broch, zoologist Hjalmar Broch, and social worker Nanna Broch. He was a professor of Slavic languages at the...
Nicolai Cleve Broch (born 14 November 1975) is a Norwegian theatre and film actor. He rose to national fame playing one of the leading roles in the 2002...
60.149289; -1.165543 The Broch of Clickimin (also Clickimin or Clickhimin Broch) is a large, well-preserved but restored broch in Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland...
Brigitte Broch (born November 21, 1943), is a German-Mexican production designer. Broch is a naturalized citizen of Mexico. Both of these are in Best Art...
Torwoodlee Broch is the remains of an iron-age broch located near the town of Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. Torwoodlee Broch (grid reference NT46553847)...
The Caithness Broch Project is a Scottish charity which aims to promote the county of Caithness as a heritage tourism destination. Established as a company...
Nicole Broch Estrup (née Larsen) (born 14 May 1993) is a Danish professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour (LET). Broch Estrup...
Elisabeth Broch (1 May 1911 – 21 August 1991) was a Norwegian historian, school principal and politician for the Labour Party. She was born in Trondheim...
Dun Carloway (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Chàrlabhaigh) is a broch situated in the district of Carloway, on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland (grid...
Tappoch Broch, better known as Torwood Broch, is an iron-age broch located in a remote spot in dense woodland near Falkirk, Scotland. Tappoch broch was first...
4°06′20″W / 56.119867°N 4.105453°W / 56.119867; -4.105453 Leckie Broch is an iron-age broch located in Stirlingshire, Scotland. Just above the confluence...
Lars Marius Bing Broch (1 April 1826 – 1 July 1882) was a Norwegian topographer, military officer and sports official. Broch was born in Fredrikstad to...
Midhowe Broch (/ˈmɪdhaʊ brɒx/) is an Iron Age broch located on the west coast of the island of Rousay in the Orkney Islands, in Scotland. Midhowe Broch (grid...
1.544124°W / 60.186958; -1.544124 The Broch of Culswick (also Culswick Broch) is an unexcavated coastal broch in the Shetland Islands of Scotland (grid...
/ 58.388694; -4.198056 Broch of Inshlampie is an Iron Age broch in Scotland. Located in Farr, Sutherland, this possible broch is situated in a highly...
Lagertha Olea Sofie Broch (27 January 1864 – 2 May 1952) was a Norwegian illustrator, children's writer, and proponent for women's rights. Broch was born in Horten...
Yvette Broch (born 23 December 1990) is a Dutch professional handball player, who plays for Győri ETO KC and the Dutch national team. She is also known...
Peter Theodor Broch (27 January 1904 – 26 April 1998) was a Norwegian lawyer and politician for the Labour Party. He was born in Kristiania as a son of...
Global Information
