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Trial Trench
Date 1994
Event ID 928052
Category Recording
Type Trial Trench
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/928052
Because of the presence of live services on the site of the former Seres Wynd/Long Wynd, it was not possible to investigate that part of the site. It was, therefore, not possible to establish the origin of the wynd or the course of the 16th century defensive wall. In addition, an electric cable apparently ran across the eastern part of the site. The trial trenching was thus confined to the western part of the area available for investigation.
No artefacts were recovered from any of the trenches. Trenches A and C produced no deposits or features of archaeological interest except for the well in the former trench. This well pre-dates the church and may have provided a water supply for either the 18th century house or the 19th century buildings.
The deposits at the southern end of Trench B are more problematic. The presence of so many layers suggests that they were not deposited in a single phase of activity, but over an indefinite period of time, the three deposits of mortart and rubble indicating at least three building phases. The mixed midden deposit with animal bone fragments between the two upper mortar deposits probably relates to the 19th century occupation of the site, before the construction of the church. If so, then the rubble deposits below it probably belong to the construction of the 18th century church house and 19th century buildings which came to surround it. Nothing attributable to the Blackfriars monastery was found. The presence of natural deposits at a depth of only 1-1.30m in Trenches A and B indicates that there was no defensive ditch outside the 16th century town wall.
Further Work
The trial trenching has established that it is unlikely that much survives of archaeological importance within the site of the former St Enoch's Church. However,the course of Seres Wynd/Long Wynd and of the Blackfriars' precinct wall/16th century town wall should be investigated in order to establish their survival and origin. A watching brief of the contractors' trenches in the eastern part of the site, where services prevented investigation, is recommended.
Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust. 1994. Archaeological Assessment: Marketgait/Nethergate, Dundee.
