Excavation

Date January 1993 - March 1993

Event ID 550397

Category Recording

Type Excavation

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/550397

NT 093 872 Excavation was carried out by Scotia Archaeology Ltd over a three-month period in advance of a major programme of development within the grounds of the former college. Of the twenty trenches opened, five were excavated by hand, the remainder being machine-dug while a watching brief was kept.

In two trenches, at the E end of the site, were found the lower courses of a N-S stretch of the precinct wall of Dunfermline Abbey. Extending eastwards from this wall were the remnants of what are thought to be backland divisions, probably associated with late 15th-century occupation on New Row. Within one of these backlands and directly abutting the precinct wall was a masonry structure, measuring 7.Om by 2.Om internally and divided into two unequal chambers, each floored with sandstone flags: its walls were very fragmentary. Artefactual evidence suggests a date within the 16th or 17th century. The structure may have been associated with the tanning or textile industry, perhaps as a soaking tank.

To the E of the 'tank', but earlier than it, was a corn-drying kiln from which were recovered seeds of barley and oats.

To the immediate W of the precinct wall and parallel to it was a ditch, about lm deep. The ditch had been infilled deliberately, evidently just prior to the construction of the wall.

In the extreme NW corner of the site were the fragmentary remains of a two-phase building of probable abbey construction although it was not possible to ascertain its function. Most of the remainder of the site, which measured up to 145m by 53m, appeared to be devoid of structural remains.

Sponsors: Fife Regional Council, Fife Enterprise, Historic Scotland, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.

J Lewis 1994b.