Watching Brief

Date February 1996

Event ID 553737

Category Recording

Type Watching Brief

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/553737

In February 1996 SUAT monitored contractors' groundworks for improvements within the grounds of Brechin Cathedral. The watching brief confirmed that the existing access area overlies what was once part of a medieval cemetery, showing that the entrance to the cathedral has been widened since the medieval period. The depth at which burials were found, at only 0.6m below the existing ground surface, implies that the ground surface has been reduced since the medieval period. This change most likely occurred during the extensive rebuilding work of the early 19th century.

The human remains indicated that the burials were in situ and in keeping with standard Christian burial practice (extended, supine, and aligned W-E). Fortunately, as so few human remains had to be disturbed during this project, it was possible to rebury them close to their point of displacement.

Sponsor: D A Kennedy (Construction) Ltd.

J MacKenzie 1996