Excavation

Date 21 August 1998 - 18 September 1998

Event ID 1034104

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1034104

The Queen Anne period of building is known to have extended and absorbed elements from previous defensive circuits and associated structures. Evidence of two periods of fortification were revealed throughout the area under excavation; one dated to the later 17th-century refurbishment of the inner defensive circuit, while the second reflected a fighting platform in place during the 16th century.

The evidence mainly comprised two horizons of heavily metalled surfaces, both apparently indicating external platforms, probably for artillery, interleaved with dumped make-up levels, culminating in the 18th-century sub-floor deposits. Fragments of masonry presently incorporated in the W facade of the Queen Anne Building complex appear to belong to an earlier defensive line following the same general axis as the 18th-century works.

G Ewart and D Murray 1998

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

Kirkdale Archaeology