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Dunfermline, Priory Lane, Lauder Technical College

Building(S) (Period Unassigned), Ditch (Period Unassigned), Kiln (Post Medieval), Pit (Period Unassigned), Wall (14th Century), Unidentified Pottery (15th Century)

Site Name Dunfermline, Priory Lane, Lauder Technical College

Classification Building(S) (Period Unassigned), Ditch (Period Unassigned), Kiln (Post Medieval), Pit (Period Unassigned), Wall (14th Century), Unidentified Pottery (15th Century)

Alternative Name(s) New Row; Old Lauder Technical College

Canmore ID 73572

Site Number NT08NE 112

NGR NT 09358 87198

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/73572

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Digital Images

Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - general view of early stages of excavation showing sondages through modern deposits.
Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - general view of early stages of excavation showing sondages through modern deposits.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : view of partly demolished gymnadsium at north end of site.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - ditch F131 in north west corner of trench 1b from south.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - west end of trench 1b showing part of ditch F131 and excavated drain F113.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - precinct wall F108 and sections across east side of ditch F131Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - 19th/2oth century drains in westward extension.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - south section of trench 1c showing modern box drain.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - excavation at bottom of ditch F131 in waterlogged conditions.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - sondage through layer F134.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 4 - west side of trench during excavation showing walls F141, 144 and rubble drain F145.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 4 - section through clay F148 and the cut (F150) for the foundations of wall F144.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : on site meeting.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 6 - showing ? modern drains.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : boulders within cut below west end of wall F174.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 7 - drain in north section of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: western part of wall F174 immediately west of frame 9/15.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 17 - location.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 15 - section at west end of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - north part of trench early in excavation showing north side of room 1.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - showing rooms 1 and 2, sections across robber trench F188 and linear feature F190.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - close up of sondage in north-east of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - cultivation marks (F205) in subsoil (F206) within sondage in north of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - view of trench nearing completion of excavation.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 : east end of trench and its spoil heap on final day.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: pre-excavation shot machine trench 20.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 20 - base of boundary wall and underlying deposits.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - general view, excavation under way.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1a - east section of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1b - close up of precinct wall F108 and area to its immediate west.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1b - view of drains in west end of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - west end of trench, showing wall F108 and excavated drains.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - precinct wall and excavated drains in west end of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - west end of trench 1b showing section across ditch F135.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - trench 1b showing north section of ditch F131.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - west extension (trench 1c).Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - sondage through layer f134 to west of wall F108Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench section through 19th/20th century deposits and underlying glacial clays.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 4 - wall F141 partially exposed.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : final stage of recording in trench 4.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 6 - east end of trench showing drains F161 and 164 emptied.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 7 - stones within fill of pit 167.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 6 - pit F167 fully excavated.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 14 - location.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: wall F174 immediately west of frame 9/12.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 16 - drain pipes traversing trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - east end of trench after removal of 19th and 20th century deposits.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - close up of north end of trench early in excavation.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - north end of room 1, wall F179 and drain F178.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: site looking westwards on final day.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 : on final day.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 and north end of site on final day.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: view westwards of site on final day.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: location of former Lauder Tech building.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: view along route of new road.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: view between High School and Carnegie building during construction of new road.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 15 - box drain at bottom of section in central part of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1a - close up view of section across linear feature F104.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1b - view of robber trench F109 in north extension of trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - ditch F131 in north west corner of trench 1b from south.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - west end of trench 1b showing section across ditch F135.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 3 - retaining wall being exposed to east of Carnegie buildingDunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 3 - and Carnegie building behind it.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 4 - wall F141 partially exposed.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 2/3 - east section of trench showing flags F185.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 6 - rubble fill of drain F161 partly removed.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 6 - east end of trench after removal of rubble fill of drain F161.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: wide angle - shot of central part of boundary wall F174.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: eastern part of boundary wall F174.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: wall F174 immediately west of frame 9/13.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 15 - central area.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 15 - north section adjacent to masonry retaining wallDunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 16 - drain pipes traversing trench.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - showing surviving masonry of modern wall F179.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - east end of trench after removal of 19th and 20th century deposits.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - rooms 1 and 2.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - kiln F186 partially excavated.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - sondage and masonry of ?19th century wallDunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1a - view of east end of trench including partially excavated linear feature F104.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - precinct wall and excavated drains.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - pit F128 fully excavated.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - metalling F133 and 135 overlying ditch F131 to west of precinct.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - modern drains in trench 1c.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - south section of trench 1c showing modern box drain.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - westward extension 1c of trench and modern box drain.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 5 - east side of trench early in excavation.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 4 - final phase of excavation showing junction of walls F141 and 144.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 6 - drain F166 and pit 167.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 6 - section across pit F167.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: wall F174 immediately west of frame 9/14.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 17 - north section.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 19 - east end of trench after removal of overburden and garden soil F102 .Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 19 - rubble drain F178 to immediate west of wall F178.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 19 - sondage cut through ? garden soil layer F106; modern wall F179 removed.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 20 base of ?19th century boundary wall.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 20 - base of boundary wall and underlying deposits.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph: trench 20 - base of boundary wall and underlying deposits.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1a - partly excavated linear feature F104.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1a - during excavation.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1b - trench during early stage of excavation.Dunfermline, Priory Lane, former Lauder Technical College, excavations.
Excavation photograph : trench 1 - section through F106 adjacent to wall F108.

First 100 images shown. See the Collections panel (below) for a link to all digital images.

Administrative Areas

  • Council Fife
  • Parish Dunfermline
  • Former Region Fife
  • Former District Dunfermline
  • Former County Fife

Archaeology Notes

NT08NE 112 0936 8721

For Lauder Technical College gymnasium and Textile school (demolished before excavation), see NT08NE 171 and NT08NE 173 respectively.

For Lauder Technical College and the old high school that still exist on this site and have been converted to dwellings, see NT08NE 56 and NT08NE 172 respectively.

Trial trenches by Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust (SUAT) in January 1993 were followed by pre-development excavations by J Lewis, Scotia Archaeology Limited, in January - March 1993.

Trenches of SUAT trial excavations located at:

'A' NT 0936 8721 'B' NT 0931 8719

'C' NT 0929 8718 'D' NT 0924 8717

Information: Mr D Bowler, SUAT, March 1993.

Trial excavations were carried out during January 1993 on the W side of New Row and to the N of Priory Lane, the site of old Lauder College. The site crossed the suggested line of the eastern precinct wall of the Dunfermline Abbey. It also included part of the New Row frontage, which by the 15th century had developed into a thriving suburb.

Excavation revealed the precinct wall of the abbey (NT08NE 1.01) 0.50m below the modern ground surface running N to S. There was also a distinct difference in the archaeological sequence on either side of the wall. On the eastern side were the backlands of the properties extending westwards from the New Row frontage producing 15th-century pottery. On the western side of the wall, and therefore within the abbey precinct, were garden soils containing building debris, possibly from structures built against the precinct wall.

Sponsor: Fife Regional Council

R Coleman 1993.

NT 093 872 Excavation was carried out by Scotia Archaeology Ltd over a three-month period in advance of a major programme of development within the grounds of the former college. Of the twenty trenches opened, five were excavated by hand, the remainder being machine-dug while a watching brief was kept.

In two trenches, at the E end of the site, were found the lower courses of a N-S stretch of the precinct wall of Dunfermline Abbey. Extending eastwards from this wall were the remnants of what are thought to be backland divisions, probably associated with late 15th-century occupation on New Row. Within one of these backlands and directly abutting the precinct wall was a masonry structure, measuring 7.Om by 2.Om internally and divided into two unequal chambers, each floored with sandstone flags: its walls were very fragmentary. Artefactual evidence suggests a date within the 16th or 17th century. The structure may have been associated with the tanning or textile industry, perhaps as a soaking tank.

To the E of the 'tank', but earlier than it, was a corn-drying kiln from which were recovered seeds of barley and oats.

To the immediate W of the precinct wall and parallel to it was a ditch, about lm deep. The ditch had been infilled deliberately, evidently just prior to the construction of the wall.

In the extreme NW corner of the site were the fragmentary remains of a two-phase building of probable abbey construction although it was not possible to ascertain its function. Most of the remainder of the site, which measured up to 145m by 53m, appeared to be devoid of structural remains.

Sponsors: Fife Regional Council, Fife Enterprise, Historic Scotland, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.

J Lewis 1994b.

A rescue excavation on the site of the former Lauder Technical College revealed a stretch of the precinct wall, probably dating from the 14th century, of Dunfermline Abbey and, underlying it, an earlier boundary ditch. Within one of the burgage plots laid out against the precinct wall were the remains of a medieval corn-drying kiln and a structure thought to be a loom stance, dating from the early 19th century.

J Lewis 1995

Activities

Trial Trench (January 1993)

Trial trenches by Scottish Urban Archaeological Trust (SUAT) in January 1993 were followed by pre-development excavations by J Lewis, Scotia Archaeology Limited, in January - March 1993.

Trenches of SUAT trial excavations located at:

'A' NT 0936 8721 'B' NT 0931 8719

'C' NT 0929 8718 'D' NT 0924 8717

Information: Mr D Bowler, SUAT, March 1993.

Trial excavations were carried out during January 1993 on the W side of New Row and to the N of Priory Lane, the site of old Lauder College. The site crossed the suggested line of the eastern precinct wall of the Dunfermline Abbey. It also included part of the New Row frontage, which by the 15th century had developed into a thriving suburb.

Excavation revealed the precinct wall of the abbey (NT08NE 1.01) 0.50m below the modern ground surface running N to S. There was also a distinct difference in the archaeological sequence on either side of the wall. On the eastern side were the backlands of the properties extending westwards from the New Row frontage producing 15th-century pottery. On the western side of the wall, and therefore within the abbey precinct, were garden soils containing building debris, possibly from structures built against the precinct wall.

Sponsor: Fife Regional Council

R Coleman 1993.

Excavation (January 1993 - March 1993)

NT 093 872 Excavation was carried out by Scotia Archaeology Ltd over a three-month period in advance of a major programme of development within the grounds of the former college. Of the twenty trenches opened, five were excavated by hand, the remainder being machine-dug while a watching brief was kept.

In two trenches, at the E end of the site, were found the lower courses of a N-S stretch of the precinct wall of Dunfermline Abbey. Extending eastwards from this wall were the remnants of what are thought to be backland divisions, probably associated with late 15th-century occupation on New Row. Within one of these backlands and directly abutting the precinct wall was a masonry structure, measuring 7.Om by 2.Om internally and divided into two unequal chambers, each floored with sandstone flags: its walls were very fragmentary. Artefactual evidence suggests a date within the 16th or 17th century. The structure may have been associated with the tanning or textile industry, perhaps as a soaking tank.

To the E of the 'tank', but earlier than it, was a corn-drying kiln from which were recovered seeds of barley and oats.

To the immediate W of the precinct wall and parallel to it was a ditch, about lm deep. The ditch had been infilled deliberately, evidently just prior to the construction of the wall.

In the extreme NW corner of the site were the fragmentary remains of a two-phase building of probable abbey construction although it was not possible to ascertain its function. Most of the remainder of the site, which measured up to 145m by 53m, appeared to be devoid of structural remains.

Sponsors: Fife Regional Council, Fife Enterprise, Historic Scotland, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.

J Lewis 1994b.

Excavation (1995)

A rescue excavation on the site of the former Lauder Technical College revealed a stretch of the precinct wall, probably dating from the 14th century, of Dunfermline Abbey and, underlying it, an earlier boundary ditch. Within one of the burgage plots laid out against the precinct wall were the remains of a medieval corn-drying kiln and a structure thought to be a loom stance, dating from the early 19th century.

J Lewis 1995

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