Archaeological Evaluation

Date 14 September 2020 - 2 October 2020

Event ID 1161693

Category Recording

Type Archaeological Evaluation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1161693

Wardell Armstrong LLP (WA) was commissioned by Cinnamon Retirement Living, to undertake an archaeological evaluation by trial trenching at Land at Kirk Park, Inveresk, Musselburgh, East Lothian (NGR: NT 34092 71903). The evaluation was required as a condition of planning consent.

The archaeological remains recorded during this phase of work at Kirk Park, Inveresk, whilst not surprising due to their location next to Inveresk Roman fort, have added another known portion of a feature to the forts south-east corner. The absence of the inner fort ditch in earlier phases of evaluation by Wardell Armstrong LLP in trenches 49, 50 and 51, where it was projected to be following the investigations in 1946, requires explanation. Whether or not the altered interpretation offered in

Figure 5 is correct is impossible to confirm without open area excavation.

rench 62 was positioned within the scheduled monument area to determine the location of the outer defensive ditch surrounding Inveresk Roman fort. This may well have been accomplished, with a ditch feature having been recorded within the northern part of the trench. This ditch also displays evidence of an ‘ankle breaker’ placed at the bottom centre of the ditch (Figure 3).

An overview of the trench locations from all phases of work thus far highlights where archaeological remains were found, within the scheduled area and to the south and south west of the scheduled monument area (Figure 4).

The evidence from this third phase of excavation work has highlighted the

significance of archaeological importance in contributing to the understanding of Inveresk’s Roman fort and pinpointing its location.

Information from OASIS Id: wardella2-404230 (M Hobson) 2020