From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents 1 Introduction 2 History & Archaeology 3 Fougou Sites 4 See also 5 References and Bibliography 6 External links

A fogou is an underground structure which is found in many Iron Age defended settlements in Cornwall. The purpose of a fogou is no longer known, and there is little evidence to suggest what it might have been. It has been conjectured that they were used as refuges, for religious purposes, or for food storage. Their central location in settlements and the work which evidently went into constructing them is indicative of their importance, which may have been religious. Fogous consist of a buried, corbelled stone wall, tapering at the top and capped by stone slabs.

The word derives from the Celtic *ifócw, meaning a cave. Locals in Cornwall called them 'fuggy-holes' (Meyn Mamvro).

Tacitus describes the Germans hollowing out underground caves, covering them with manure and using them as storehouses and refuges from winter frosts. He also claimed that they hid in their boltholes to escape detection by raiders. Fogous may have had a similar function to the underground Kivas of the Native Americans (Sharp 1997).

Fogous, sometimes called 'earth houses' are known as souterrains elsewhere in the British Isles and in Brittany. An example of an excavated Souterrain is the site at Rosal, strath Naver, Sutherland. In this example no finds were made inside the structure and the roof may have been only partially covered with stones, a timber roof being present on part of it. It was suggested that souterrains could have been used as byres or barns (Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1967-8). Fogous are often associated with dwellings such as Iron Age villages.

Petrospheres or 'Stone Balls' have been found in souterrains and as possible symbols of power within prehistoric society this discovery suggest a use other than basic storage of food, etc.

The fogou at Constantine in Cornwall, opposite Trewardreva, is called Pixie's Hall by the locals (Hippisley Coxe 1973). Other notable examples of unspoiled fogous are to be found at Carn Euny and Trelowarren in Cornwall, others include Boleigh, Boscawen un, Pendeen, Boden (Manaccan) and Piskey Hall (Trewardreva).

The Reader's Digest guide recommends the Halliggye Fougou on the Trelowarren estate for a visit, signed from the B3293 near Garras off the A3083. The site is open daily from April through to October.

• Petrosomatoglyph Symbolism

• Hippisley Coxe, Antony D. (1973). Haunted Britain. Pub. Hutchinson. ISBN 0-09-116540-7. P. 21.
• May, Jo (1996). Fogou - A Journey into the Underworld. Gothic Image Publications. ISBN 0-906362-34-2. 
• Meyn Mamvro - ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall. ISSN 0966-5897. p. 20-21.
• Rowe, Toni-maree (2005). Cornwall in prehistory. Tempus Publishing Limited, pp127-132. ISBN 0-7524-3440-3. 
• Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1967-68. Vol.100. Pps. 114-118
• Sharp, Mick (1997). Holy Places of Celtic Britain. Blandford. ISBN 1-85079-315-8. P. 155.
• The most amazing places to visit in Britain. Reader's Digest Association Ltd. ISBN 0-276-44176-1. P.14.
• The most amazing places to visit in Britain. (2006). The Reader's Digest Association. ISBN 0-276-44176-1. P.14.

• Pretanic World - Chart of Neolithic, Bronze Age and Celtic Stone Structures
• Fogou site page search results at The Megalithic Portal