Watching Brief

Date 1 November 2004 - 31 January 2005

Event ID 546297

Category Recording

Type Watching Brief

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/546297

NT 548 341 A watching brief was maintained throughout groundbreaking works associated with the installation of a new

gas mains in Melrose between November 2004 and January 2005. The work was conducted within the Scheduled area of Melrose Abbey (NT53SW 30). Excavations for the gas mains took place on Cloisters Road, Abbey Street, St Mary's Road, and within the grounds of Abbey House (Abbey Place).

The excavations on Cloisters Road revealed a number of walls that correspond in plan to the abbey remains on the N and S side of Cloisters Road. These include the great hall, the refectory and the parts of the cloisters complex. As well as these known buildings, two walls that do not relate to any of the visible features in the abbey grounds were uncovered at the W end of Cloisters Road.

Excavations on Abbey Street revealed sections of standing walls and a probable medieval culvert. No archaeological features were uncovered during the excavations on St Mary's Road or Abbey Place.

Archive to be deposited in NMRS.