Excavation

Date 7 July 2014 - 22 July 2014

Event ID 1013099

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1013099

The third phase of a project to provide tuition to young people attending Canal College in vegetation clearance, excavation and archaeological recording was carried out 7–22 July 2014. The project was delivered by Archaeology Scotland in conjunction with Canal College, funded by the Scottish Waterways Trust and in partnership with Scottish Canals. Canal College works with Scottish Canals to provide training for young people and

is based at the Falkirk Wheel.

Two locks, numbers 9 and 10, were investigated in 2014. The numbering of the locks reflects that shown on the 1st Edition OS map of 1843–1882, and does not correspond to Scottish Canals current numbering of the locks.

NS 86830 79430 Union Canal Lock 9 (Canmore ID: 185299). A programme of vegetation clearance and excavation of a single trench took place at this 19th-century lock. The area was cleared of butterbur and a 2 x 5m trench excavated, which successfully identified the buried edge of the lock. The fill from the trench indicated that the area had been infilled with waste from industrial furnaces. The students were given training in excavation techniques, planning, section drawing, photography and backfilling.

NS 86890 79380 Union Canal Lock 10 (Canmore ID: 185290) A programme of vegetation clearance, clearing of overburden and training in excavation and recording took place at this 19th-century lock. The area was cleared

of butterbur and an overburden of c0.5 x 1.0 x 1.5m was removed from the edge of the path. Once the section had been exposed the students were given practical training in section drawing and photography.

Archive and report: Archaeology Scotland and RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: Scottish Waterways Trust

Phil Richardson and Cara Jones - Archaeology Scotland

(Source: DES)