Excavation

Date 3 August 1987 - 14 August 1987

Event ID 1034184

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1034184

NT 452 584 Soutra is the site selected for the Soutra Hospital Archaeoethnopharmacological Research Project (SHARP), involving over 200 researchers co-operating in the investigation of the physical remains of medieval medical treatments, with interpretation in the light of contemporary manuals and accounts.

Followed from resistivity survey of the hill top plateau in 1986 a trial excavation of 10 key trenches was mounted to investigate the extent and ground plan of the complex of buildings. The earliest structures noted on the site were 2 boundary walls, 1m thick, each with a drain or ditch 2m wide alongside.

There are, at least, 2 contiguous, large, rectangular, walled enclosures. These occupy the hill top to the E of medieval Dere Street. The southmost one contains the hospital Church and the standing 17th century Aisle. The northern boundary wall was cut to form a new access, .with 'slot' for door post, threshold and interior passage way; there was secondary vaulting over the earlier drain.

Sampling programmes for 'infirmary waste' have been set up, screening them for blood and other organic residues, leaded contamination and exotic plant material. All are showing up.

Exotic pottery has been recovered in small quantities and residues on it are being analysed related to analysis of fabrics and thin sections. Trade in medical preparations should be highlighted. SHARP is medicine-centred.

Sponsors: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal Cllege of Surgeons of Edinburgh, British Pharmacological Society, Robert Kiln Charitable Trust, Garden Historic Society, National Museum of Scotland, and Historic Buildings and Monuments.

G J Ewart and B Moffat 1987

Kirkdale Archaeology