Archaeology Notes

Event ID 770866

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/770866

NJ90NW 80 centred 941 065

Major excavation in the entrance court of St. Paul's Episcopal Church (NJ90NW 70) in advance of redevelopment.

Excavation revealed a long and complex sequence of occupation, beginning in the early 13th Century, with the deposition of extensive deposits of midden material. In the late 14th Century the area was divided into plots by the erection of stone boundary walls. One of these plots was used for some industrial process, perhaps connected with the leather working industry. The entire yard was heavily cobbled, and the bases of at least three kilns or ovens were set into this cobbling.

By the early 17th Century the use of the frontages had changed to domestic housing. Excavation revealed the backs of two substantial stone houses, separated by a tunnel entry. Further back in the yards new buildings were being erected in the 'backlands'. In the later 17th century the frontage buildings were shortened and rebuilt, with massive cellars. Meanwhile in the backlands, partly derelict buildings were being used by blacksmiths and cobblers as workshops. In 1721 the site was bought by the Episcopal Church, and several of the plots were combined, backland buildings we re-cleared, and a new chapel built. Between 1757 and 1782 the street frontage was rebuilt, and a new tunnel entry into the yards was built. Thereafter most of the former yard area became the entrance court to the church. In 1843 a new manse was erected, and finally in 1866 the church itself was rebuilt.

D H Evans 1986

A small excavation was undertaken by the Aberdeen Archaeological Unit (H Murray) on the premises of what was 45-47 Gallowgate in 1979 (trench at NJ 9416 0657).

Information from RCAHMS (FO) 26 August 1997

(GRC/AAS NJ90NW 160). Listed as Gallowgate and Lochlands; location cited as NJ 941 066.

(GRC/AAS NJ90NW 103). Listed as 45-47 Gallowgate, medieval frontage at NJ 941 065. Excavation by H K Murray in 1979 revealed fifteen occupation phases dating from the late 12th century. Initially an area of dumping, this was followed by a building, then ditches and drains. Fragments of fencing and areas of cobbles were also found.

(Museum publication cited).

NMRS, MS/712/83.

The archives from the two excavations at 45-63 Gallowgate have been catalogued. They consist of manuscripts, photographic material and drawings.

Historic Scotland Archive Project (FO) 1997 .