Kirk Park, Musselburgh

NT 3428 7224 A 10% sample (equating to 518m of linear trenching) of the proposed development area was examined by trial trenching 23 November–9 December 2009. The work revealed that the former topsoil survives across the entire evaluated area beneath modern concrete and levelling associated with the wireworks.

The topsoil seals archaeologically significant features, which on the basis of the recovered artefacts are assumed to be Roman in origin. The features include several ditches and pits cut into the underlying sand and two upstanding linear features consisting of cobbles capped with clay which may represent rampart bases or roads. Beneath the former topsoil to the S of the site a midden-rich deposit was revealed overlying two ditches and an earlier ground surface. This deposit contained cattle, pig and horse bones as well as domestic Roman pottery. The discarded material may come from the fort itself or from a civilian settlement associated with the fort, which the proposed development site may overlie.

A cremation, possibly the remains of a child, was also identified in the SE part of the site, adjacent to a ditch containing Roman pottery. As there are only three Roman cremation burials confirmed in Scotland this feature is in itself of great significance.

Report: East Lothian Council SMR and RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: NHS Lothian

Alistair Robertson – Headland Archaeology Ltd

NT 3428 7224 An excavation was undertaken August–November 2010 on the site of the new Musselburgh Primary Health Care Centre. Until recently the area was occupied by the former Brunton Wireworks. The scheduled ancient monument of Inveresk Roman fort lies at the top of the steep slope immediately to the S of the site. Two phases of fort occupation dating to the Antonine period (2nd century AD) have been established, whilst evidence for an associated civilian settlement extending eastward from the fort has also been revealed through excavation. Earlier finds from the Brunton Wireworks included Roman burials (NT37SW 161) consisting of at least five possible graves, which were discovered in July 1985 by workmen excavating a trench for machinery. The close proximity of the development site to these known Roman remains meant there was recognised potential for associated remains to exist within it.

A deposit containing Mesolithic and possibly Neolithic flints represents the earliest activity on the site (Phase 1). A large assemblage of worked flint was recovered and will form the basis of a report on this aspect of the site.

An undated curvilinear ditch (Phase 2) which may originally have been circular in form was identified towards the SE corner of the site. This feature had been cut by a probable Roman period burial (Phase 4), which had in turn been cut by a ditch associated with a probable Roman field system (Phase 6).

Four burial pits have been identified as Iron Age in date (Phase 3), one of which was a stone-lined cist. The pits contained a minimum of six individuals, as two of the graves contained double inhumations. Apart from the fragmentary human remains, a few other artefacts were recovered, including a brooch from one of the single burials.

Six inhumation burials have been identified as Roman (Phase 4), although this will need to be confirmed with radiocarbon dating as none contained any artefacts. Stratigraphic evidence suggests that they predate the Roman field system (Phase 6) and finds-rich soil deposits (Phase 7). These skeletons were generally better preserved than the Iron Age group, and four of the six had evidence of decapitation. If these skeletons were contemporary with the 2nd-century Inveresk Fort, they are some of the earliest Roman decapitation burials to be found anywhere in Britain. The various cremation deposits and a possible pyre site are also likely to be Roman, although again there is no definitive dating evidence at present. A horse burial may be another contemporary deposit, although it could also be Iron Age.

A rampart base may have been part of a Roman military structure (Phase 5). This may be contemporary with the burials (Phase 4) but is earlier than the field system (Phase 6).

A network of ditches is interpreted as a Roman field system which is likely to be contemporary with the use of Inveresk Fort (Phase 6). This was sealed by finds-rich soil deposits (Phase 7) which may be related to the abandonment of the fort, and which contained large quantities of pottery and animal bone. The very large fragment size of this material suggested that the deposit had not been reworked and that the material was found in its original deposition site.

A later post built structure (Phase 8) was identified within the rampart. One of the postholes associated with this feature had been cut into the backfill of one of the ditches thought to be associated with the Roman period field system (Phase 6). This would indicate that the post built structure post-dated both the rampart and the field system.

Archive: East Lothian Council SMR and RCAHMS

Funder: East Lothian Council

CFA Archaeology Ltd 2010