Trial Trench

Date January 1993

Event ID 550396

Category Recording

Type Trial Trench

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/550396

Trial trenches by Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust (SUAT) in January 1993 were followed by pre-development excavations by J Lewis, Scotia Archaeology Limited, in January - March 1993.

Trenches of SUAT trial excavations located at:

'A' NT 0936 8721 'B' NT 0931 8719

'C' NT 0929 8718 'D' NT 0924 8717

Information: Mr D Bowler, SUAT, March 1993.

Trial excavations were carried out during January 1993 on the W side of New Row and to the N of Priory Lane, the site of old Lauder College. The site crossed the suggested line of the eastern precinct wall of the Dunfermline Abbey. It also included part of the New Row frontage, which by the 15th century had developed into a thriving suburb.

Excavation revealed the precinct wall of the abbey (NT08NE 1.01) 0.50m below the modern ground surface running N to S. There was also a distinct difference in the archaeological sequence on either side of the wall. On the eastern side were the backlands of the properties extending westwards from the New Row frontage producing 15th-century pottery. On the western side of the wall, and therefore within the abbey precinct, were garden soils containing building debris, possibly from structures built against the precinct wall.

Sponsor: Fife Regional Council

R Coleman 1993.