Souterrain
|
|
Souterrain is a name given by archaeologists to a type of underground structure associated with the Atlantic Iron Age. Regional names include fogous and Pictish houses and they appear to have been brought northwards from Gaul during the late Iron age.
The name comes from the French language, where it means "underground passageway".
Souterrains are underground galleries and in their early stages were always associated with a settlement. The galleries were dug out and then lined with stone slabs before being reburied. They do not appear to have been used for burial or ritual purposes and it has been suggested that they were food stores or hiding places during times of strife. They may be connected with the same people who built brochs.