Excavation

Date 16 May 2000 - 27 November 2000

Event ID 1034128

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1034128

NT 2515 7340 A trench was excavated by hand within the Queen Anne Building, a structure known to overlie vaults,probably constructed in the 15th century to provide a level surface for Crown Square. Survey had shown there to be a gap of some2.3m between the floor of the Queen Anne Building and the vaults below, and it was hoped that evidence might survive of superstructures earlier than the 1708 block, resting on the 15th-century substructure.

The infill over the top of the vaults was found to be undisturbed,and presumably represents levelling material contemporary with the construction of the vaults themselves. This had been used to produce a flat surface to take a cobbled yard, again likely to be contemporary with the construction of the vaults. This surface,some 1.1m below the present floor level of the Queen Anne Building, seems to match the height of the floor level of the Great Hall to the E. Although only a small area was excavated, the implication is that originally the Crown Square was designed to be open on its W side.

A Dunn 2000

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

Kirkdale Archaeology