Brown and White Caterthuns

Excavation in the 1990s found little evidence of occupation at the fort. It revealed the site became larger over time, and that its ramparts were burned, rebuilt and re-modelled in several phases. 

Radiocarbon dates from excavations on the Brown Caterthun show it was constructed between 700BC and 200BC. 

The White Caterthun is slightly higher, and stands to the south-west of the Brown Caterthun. Its most striking feature is its great stone fort, which would have stood several metres high. The fort shows evidence for vitrification – a process in which stones are fused together due to intense heat.  

The fort is probably the latest structure on the White Caterthun. Within its bounds, remains of roundhouses and rectangular enclosures are visible, along with a deep rock-cut cistern. It’s surrounded by a series of similar earthworks to those seen at the Brown Caterthun. 

We don’t know exactly what the Caterthuns were used for. Their function and role as a pair of similar hilltop enclosures so close together is still debated. 

Both forts are surrounded by a series of earthworks of varying character. These include simple dump ramparts and ditches, palisaded works and substantial turf and stone ramparts. This makes it easy to picture them as defended tribal strongholds. However, each Caterthun has numerous entrances aligned to form avenues to the hill forts’ summits. This suggests that, rather than simple forts, they may have been designed to control movement, with different entrances used by people of different roles or status.

At the Brown Caterthun, evidence shows that parts of its earthworks were deliberately maintained, burned, and rebuilt over time. This suggests their use was reviewed or renewed periodically. The massive enclosure on the White Caterthun appears more strongly defended and perhaps not intended for everyday access. However, traces of vitrified stone (rock fused by extreme heat) indicate a similar tradition of purposeful burning, but on a much larger scale.

Taken together, these clues point to the Caterthuns serving multiple functions. They may have acted as both defensive and ceremonial centres, and perhaps even formed two parts of a single, interconnected site.