Trial Trench

Date 21 September 2015 - 22 September 2015

Event ID 816851

Category Recording

Type Trial Trench

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/816851

Addyman Archaeology was commissioned by Signature Pubs Ltd. to undertake an archaeological evaluation of below ground deposits prior to the development of the land to the rear of numbers 4-6 Grassmarket. It is proposed to develop this land for use as a bar/restaurant and event space.

A total of three evaluation trenches were excavated over a period of two days.

Trench 1, orientated east-west, was located in the western half of the site

perpendicular to the Flodden Wall. Trench 2, initially planned as a single trench, was excavated as two separate sections: trench 2-north, and trench 2-south. These trenches were located to the east of trench 1 near the eastern limit of the site and were orientated north-south. A full photographic record of the evaluation was produced, along with detailed measured hand drawings of the trench location plan and trench sections.

The archaeological evaluation revealed a significant depth of Late Modern

demolition deposits containing large sections of mortared masonry to be present to the rear of 4-6 Grassmarket, continuing below the maximum 1.20m depth achievable during this stage of excavation. A thin band of archaeological deposits were discovered at the northern extent of the site, between the demolition deposits and the southern wall of Dance Base; based on artefactual evidence, these deposits are though to date to the late 19th -early 20th centuries.

It was determined that the demolition deposits are likely the result of the

dismantling of the structures that formerly stood at this location and from the various stages of recent rebuild and repair of the Flodden Wall. Due to the accessibility issues of this plot of land, it seems likely the resulting rubble was heaped to the rear of the site rather than removed. It is thought that in situ archaeological deposits are likely to exist below the depth of the Late Modern rubble deposit.

Information from Andrew Morrison (Addyman Archaeology) September 2015: OASIS ID: addymana1-224096