Chysauster Ancient Village - Fogou

Fogou

To the south of the settlement is an underground passage of a type known locally as fogou (Cornish for cave). Fogous can be found in other places in the UK and Ireland, and are known more generally as souterrains; their purpose is unclear. The fogou at Chysauster was originally recorded as running well over 16 metres in length but was blocked up in the late 20th century for safety reasons. It was recorded around 1847 by Henry Crozier who described it as a "voe or sepulchral chamber".