Excavation

Date 24 October 2023

Event ID 1171889

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1171889

NT 23272 77673 AOC was commissioned by Reiach & Hall Architects to undertake an archaeological works at Plot 26 Granton Harbour, Edinburgh. The works were a prerequisite in relation to a planning condition for the redevelopment of the site.

The archaeological works were intended to locate the 19th century harbour wharf as this may have been within the footprint of one of the residential units (Block A). A total of four trenches were opened with the harbour wharf likely encountered within Trench 2 at a depth of over 2.5 m. In Trench 4 a large concrete base at a depth of 1.9 m may also be associated with the wharf. In Trench 1 a large concrete slab encountered at a depth of 0.6 m is thought to be much more modern in date. Across the investigation area the upper deposits was a mix of building crush and rubble with brick, concrete, metal and sandstone noted. In Trench 1 and 2 large potentially in situ wooden timbers were uncovered.

The position of the harbour wharf appears to lie outside the limits of the proposed Block A footprint. The proposed small substation building in the location of Tr.2 appears to overlap with the wharf remains. However, these remains in Tr.2 were at considerable depth at c 2.5 m below current ground levels and the proposed substation buildings are extremely shallow and will not impact on the wharf remains which would effectively remain in situ beneath the new build substation.

Infromation from AOC Archaeology Group.