Fogou: Cornwall’s Iron Age Underground Passages
Fogou is a complex of underground passages found in Cornwall thought to date from the Iron Age, around 2400 year ago.
The purpose of such ‘fogous’ – a Cornish-language word meaning cave – is unknown, but they may have been places of refuge, storage chambers or ritual shrines.
According to English Heritage, the round at Halliggye was probably home to several family groups, who lived in four or five houses.
However, life within a fogou would have been dark, damp, and cramped.
The air would have been musty, and the low ceilings and narrow passages could make movement difficult.
Daily life for the inhabitants of Iron Age Cornwall would have been primarily above ground, engaging in agriculture, hunting, and other activities common to that era.
Another hypothesis is that they were used for as refuges, possibly to survive raids, as first suggested by Kenneth MacGregor (2004).
Nancy Edwards, a British archaeologist, wrote that evidence would support this.
She said: ”Creeps, hidden chambers, and sally ports, as well as the fact that most sonterrains were invisible above ground, would all have helped to provide protection in the case of sudden attack.
They could, however, turn into death-traps if the aggression was prolonged.”
Pottery found during recent excavations suggests that the settlement was occupied for 700 years, probably until the end of the Roman period.
Halliggye Fogou, thought to date from the 5th or 4th century BC, was once part of a small farming settlement, which was probably occupied until the end of the Roman period.
Fogous consist of a buried, usually corralled stone wall, tapering at the top and capped by stone slabs.
They were mainly constructed by excavating a sloping trench about 5 ft wide and 6 ft deep, lining it with drystone walling as stated, which was battered inwards and roofed with flat slabs.
Soil from excavation was heaped on top as at Pendeen Vau or incorporated in the rampart of the enclosure as at Halliggye Fogou Trelowarren.
The large and excellently-preserved fougou at Carn Euny is the most important structure on the site, running just below the surface of the ground and roofed with massive stone slabs.
A side passage leads to a round stone chamber with a collapsed roof, a small tunnel may represent a second entrance.
The site was discovered in the early nineteenth century by tin prospectors and the fougou was exposed in the eighteen sixties by the antiquarian William Copeland Borlase.
The nine hut foundations were discovered and the fougou restored during extensive excavations of the site between 1964 and 1972.
Today, the site is managed by English Heritage and tours are available.
The Exterior of the Fogou is open all year round, but due to roosting Greater Horseshoe bats, the interior is closed from October to April.
Many people visit the fogou each year to experience it for themselves, and feel the presence of the previous inhabitants of this ancient land.
What was life like in the Iron Age?
The Iron Age, spanning from around 1200 BCE to 600 BCE in some regions, marked a significant period of human development characterized by the widespread use of iron tools and weapons.
Life during this era varied significantly based on geographical location, cultural practices, and technological advancements.
Here are some general aspects of life during the Iron Age.
Agriculture and Settlements: Agriculture was a cornerstone of Iron Age societies.
People practiced farming, cultivating crops like wheat, barley, millet, and rice, and domesticating animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
Settlements often comprised fortified hill forts or villages, with houses made of wood, thatch, mud-brick, or stone.
Craftsmanship: Ironworking was a significant technological advancement during this period, leading to the production of stronger tools, weapons, and agricultural implements.
Skilled craftsmen produced pottery, textiles, metalwork, and jewelry.
Social Structure: Societies during the Iron Age were generally hierarchical, with ruling elites, warriors, and commoners.
Class divisions were often evident through burial practices, housing differences, and the distribution of wealth.
Religion and Beliefs: Religion played a vital role in Iron Age societies, often involving ritualistic practices, ceremonies, and the construction of religious sites like temples or sacred groves.
Polytheistic beliefs were common, with deities associated with natural elements and agriculture.
Trade and Communication: Iron Age communities engaged in trade, exchanging goods such as metals, pottery, textiles, and luxury items over long distances.
Communication relied on word of mouth, messengers, and possibly early forms of writing or pictorial scripts in some regions.
Warfare: Iron technology revolutionised warfare, leading to the production of stronger weapons like swords, spears, and shields.
Some societies built defensive structures, indicating threats of conflict and the need for protection.
Health and Daily Life: Life expectancy was generally lower compared to modern times, and health was influenced by diet, sanitation, and access to medical knowledge.
Daily life involved domestic chores, farming, craftsmanship, and community gatherings for social, religious, or economic purposes.
Cultural Development: Iron Age cultures contributed to artistic expressions through pottery, metalwork, sculpture, and storytelling.
Oral traditions transmitted myths, legends, and histories from generation to generation.
Someone who recently visited the Fogou’s wrote this review on TripAdvisor: “Not exactly a standard tourist attraction.
”It's quite hard to find (even the staff at Trelowarren weren't sure where it was; one of them hadn't even heard of it!), but it's a really curious place when you find it.
”A small network of stone-lined underground tunnels whose purpose is unclear. Certainly inspires the imagination. Bring a light, 'cos it's pitch black inside (wooooooo!).”
Another person added: “This fogou is off the beaten track, we ended up getting a local to show us the way.
”Take a torch because it’s very dark and be prepared to crawl.
”It’s not very big but it’s unusual and worth a visit.”
If you’d like to visit the fogou site in Cornwall, the address is: Trelowarren Estate , Mawgan, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 6AF.
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