Edinburgh, Portobello, Abercorn Brick And Tile Works

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group on land previously occupied by warehouses and offices at 1-7 Baileyfield Crescent, Portobello, Edinburgh. The evaluation revealed that the development area contained the remains of buildings associated with industrial activity from at least, and possibly earlier than, the mid 19th to early 20th century. The buildings contained the remains of flue systems, a likely chimney and possible bottle kilns associated with glass works visible on historic maps. The evaluation also demonstrated that dumped material exceeding 4m, which dates from the early 19th century to the middle of the 20th century, was present predominantly in the southern part of the development area.

Information from Steven Wall (AOC Archaeology Group) 14 August 2017. OASIS ID: aocarcha1-292549

NT 30135 74061 An evaluation was undertaken, 10–12 January 2017, on land previously occupied by warehouses and offices at 1–7 Baileyfield Crescent. The evaluation revealed that the Phase 1 area consists of modern hard standing covering >4m of dumped material from the early 19th to mid-20th century. The trenches and test pits identified numerous dumped deposits across the evaluation area, with tip lines present throughout each trench indicating that the dumped material was being brought into the site from the northern edge. A probable brick floor relating

to a late 19th-century building was also revealed within Trench 5 at a depth of 3.1m. Some samples of pottery and glass were recovered from some of the dumped horizons for further analysis.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: BDW Trading Ltd and Standard Life Assurance Ltd

Kevin Paton – AOC Archaeology Group

(Source: DES, Volume 18)

A programme of archaeological strip, map and record was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group on land previously occupied by warehouses and offices at 1-7 Baileyfield Crescent, Portobello, Edinburgh. The works followed on from the findings of an archaeological evaluation undertaken by AOC Archaeology in Areas 9 & 10. Substantial upstanding structural remains associated with the Abercorn Brick & Tile Works were revealed. These remains included mid-19th century floors, flue systems, brick drying structures and several wall foundations. The remains represented later 19th century phases of the brick works development illustrated on historical mapping from the late 19th century to its demolition in the early 20th century. The works also demonstrated that dumped material exceeding 4m, which dates from the mid 19th century to the middle of the 20th century, was present predominantly in the southern part of the development area. A representative number of finds were recovered from the dump material. These largely consisted of bottles, glass slag, stamped bricks and stoneware from surrounding factories. The majority of the material appeared to date to the early 20th century however several bricks stamped bricks taken from the lower deposits of dumped material were mid-19th century in origin.

Information from Stuart Wilson (AOC Archaeology Group) 17 September 2018.

OASIS ID: aocarcha1-329374

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group on land previously occupied by warehouses and offices at 1-7 Baileyfield Crescent, Portobello, Edinburgh, during the excavation of a SUDS Pond. The SUDS Pond area was located to the immediate south of the Phase 2 excavation undertaken on the site of the Abercorn Brickworks in 2017. The SUDS Pond measured approximately 80m2 in area and its excavation removed around 2080m3 of made ground to a depth of around 5m. The watching brief revealed a made ground composed of ash, rubble and loose silty sand. Several small dumps of early 20th century glass, ceramics and bricks were observed. The made ground represents the infilling and levelling of the area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries with waste material from the surrounding industries. No structural remains associated with the Brick and Tile Works shown to exist within the area were observed.

Information from Rob Engl (AOC Archaeology Group) 6 December 2018.OASIS ID: aocarcha1-336263

NT 30135 74061 A programme of strip, map and record was undertaken at 1-7 Baileyfield Crescent, Portobello, from 24 June 2019 to 12 July 2019.

These works represent the final phase of excavations continuing from those completed in 2017 and 2018. Substantial upstanding structural remains associated with the Abercorn Brick & Tile Works were first encountered during the works in 2018. The remains included mid-19th century floors, flue systems, brick drying structures, and a kiln base, and represented later 19th century phases of the brick works; developments illustrated on historical mapping from the late 19th century to its demolition in the early 20th century. The works also demonstrated that dumped material exceeding 4m, which dates from the mid-19th century to the middle of the 20th century, was present across the entirety of the site.

A number of finds were recovered from the dump material. These largely consisted of bottles, stamped bricks and stoneware from surrounding factories. The majority of the material appeared to date to the early 20th century.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: BDW Trading Ltd and Standard Life Assurance Ltd

Stuart Wilson - AOC Archaeology Group Ltd

(Source: DES Vol 20)