Watching Brief

Date 27 September 2023

Event ID 1171600

Category Recording

Type Watching Brief

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1171600

A programme of archaeological works comprising a watching brief was required by National Trust Scotland during emergency repairs being undertaken on a water mains pipe going between two buildings at Preston Mill, East Linton, East Lothian (NT 59470 77940 centered). The approximate site area is located one metre form the Preston Mill Scheduled Monument (SM 13314). The scope of the archaeological works has been determined by East Lothian Council who are advised on archaeological matters by Mr Andrew Robertson of the East Lothian Council Archaeology Service, ELCAS. The archaeological watching brief was achieved through the hand removal of topsoil and overburden. All excavations were supervised by an experienced field archaeologist. The archaeological watching brief was undertaken on the 27th September 2023. Weather conditions were fine and dry and good archaeological visibility was achieved. A small trench measuring approximately 2m in length by 0.50m in width was excavated by hand through topsoil in order to address a leaking water pipe. The trench was positioned parallel to a stone field boundary approximately 1m from the Scheduled Area. The trench was excavated to a depth of 0.25m after which the standing water was drained in order to expose the pipe. Numerous tree roots were encountered. All excavated material was cast to the side for inspection. Several sherds of ceramic tile drain or garden pots were observed. Upon the pipe being fixed a plastic access duct was cemented in place and the trench backfilled with topsoil. No archaeologically significant material or features were observed during the watching brief.

Information from OASIS ID: aocarcha1-519404 (R Engl) 2023