The name Carpow is of Pictish origin.[2] The first element is *cair, meaning "fort, castle", and the second is *pol, meaning "(sluggish) burn" (c.f. Welshcaer-pwll).[2]
Archaeology
Carpow is most notable for its archaeological remains. Mesolithichunter-gatherers arrived in the area more than 8,000 years ago. Nearby Neolithic standing stones and circles followed the introduction of farming from about 4,000 BC, and a remarkably well preserved Bronze Agelog boat dated to around 1,000 BC was found in the mudflats of the River Tay at Carpow.[3]
During Roman times the settlement was the site of a camp and fort, which was made of stone, signalling the intent to stay for an extended period.[4][5][6] An early medieval Picto-Scottish cross fragment once formed part the lintel of a well at Carpow House.[7][8]
The Roman fort of Carpow was a Roman fortress situated at the confluence of the rivers Tay and Earn.[9] The fortress is known to have been occupied from the late second century AD until the early third century AD. The site of the fort has not been comprehensively excavated but it is believed to have served as a naval supply depot for Roman forces in the central lowlands. Its occupation also coincided with the campaigns of Septimius Severus in the area.[9]
^"Carpow: Roman Legionary Fortress", Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland: Canmore database, retrieved 21 October 2010
^"Carpow: Temporary camp(s) (Roman)", Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland: Canmore database, retrieved 21 October 2010
^"Carpow: Cross slab", Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland: Canmore database, retrieved 21 October 2010
^Borland, J.; Fraser, I.; Sherriff, J. (2007), "Eight socketed stones from Eastern Scotland", Tayside and Fife Archaeological Journal, 13: 107
