Carn Euny

Carn Euny is an archaeological site on the Penwith peninsula in Cornwall. It shows remains from the Neolithic, Iron Age and Romano-British periods. The first timber huts were built about 500 BC and later replaced by stone houses. A well-preserved fogou runs just below the surface and is roofed with massive stone slabs. The site was abandoned late in the Roman period. The fogou at Carn Euny is more than 20 metres long and includes a side passage leading to a round stone chamber. Seven single-room stone houses and three larger courtyard houses remain visible above ground. Excavations in the 19th and 20th centuries uncovered nine hut foundations and restored the fogou. The settlement once farmed 40 acres, growing oats, barley and rye, and keeping sheep, goats and cattle. The site lies near the village of Sancreed and is overlooked by the Iron Age hill fort of Caer Bran. West of the settlement are ancient wells linked to local legend. Nearby Chysauster is another Romano-British settlement about 10 kilometres away. The remains include both round and oval stone houses, some with courtyards unique to Cornwall.