Jedburgh Ramparts

NT 65037 20497 Excavation behind the rampart walls at Jedburgh Abbey have identified the structure and nature of the rampart wall, whilst also identifying an episode of infilling or dumping behind the rampart wall which, in places, contains re-deposited skeletal remains of both humans and animals and likely dates to the early 19th Century. It is unclear where these remains originated, however due to the proximity of the graveyard at the abbey, and the former lower churchyard and cattle market to the east, there is a high probability that the remains were disturbed and removed locally when the landscaping works were carried out. There is no evidence to suggest an earlier retaining wall for the ramparts set back from the current retaining wall, as had been postulated during the initial investigatory works. Prior to the infilling/dumping episode, the rampart wall may have acted more as a dry stone boundary wall, without retaining as much material behind it as there currently is. The wall was either rebuilt entirely, or modified to its current guise with a dry stone rear section and mortar bonded front face in the early 19th Century, creating a more formalised retaining wall. No in situ archaeological features were identified during the excavation works, with the deposits identified being indicative of a 19th century landscaping event.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: Scottish Borders Council

Ian Hill, Kieran Manchip and Michelle Gamble - Heritage Archaeological Research Practice

(Source: DES Vol 20)