Fogou

A fogou or fougou[1] (pronounced "foo-goo") is an underground, dry-stone structure found on Iron Age or Romano-British-defended settlement sites in Cornwall.

Colloquially called vugs, vows, foggos, giant holts, or fuggy holes in various dialects,[2] fogous have similarities with souterrains or earth-houses of northern Europe and particularly Scotland, including Orkney.

Excavated examples at Halliggye, Carn Euny, and Boden suggest fogous may have been deliberately filled back in after use, or upon abandonment of the surrounding settlement.

[5] Nancy Edwards wrote that "evidence would support this: 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.

[3] Where they were open at both ends, a fogou could provide suitable conditions for storing some foods, especially the drying of meat,[dubious – discuss] or storage of dairy products such as milk, butter, and cheese where natural moulds would assist in preservation of perishable foodstuffs.

[citation needed] 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 and resources.

[12] Partially destroyed fogous exist at Chysauster,[14] which is in the care of English Heritage and which has been blocked up for safety; at Boden Vean near Manaccan and at Lower Boscaswell[14] close to Pendeen.