Coldingham Church, Abbey Yards Field
Burial Ground (10th Century)
Site Name Coldingham Church, Abbey Yards Field
Classification Burial Ground (10th Century)
Canmore ID 186213
Site Number NT96NW 11.03
NGR NT 9042 6604
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/186213
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Coldingham
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Berwickshire
- Former County Berwickshire
NT96NW 11.03 9042 6604
NT 9042 6604 An archaeological excavation was carried out in Abbey Yards Field, which lies a short distance to the NE of Coldingham Priory. A total of 26 inhumations were uncovered, representing two separate phases of burials. The earlier was orientated on a NE-SW alignment and finds suggest a 10th to 11th-century date. This cemetery would appear to have gone out of use when first a chapel and then the Benedictine priory was established in the late 11th to early 12th century. During the 13th to 14th centuries this area would probably have lain at the edge of the precinct of the priory and was the focus of various activities with a possible fish pond, water channels and a tanning pit sited here. Finds recovered from the excavation also suggest butchery and the processing of carcases. In the late medieval or early post-medieval period, these features went out of use and the area reverted to a cemetery, with burials on an E-W alignment.
A full report has been lodged with the NMRS.
Sponsor: Scottish Borders Council.
S Stronach 2000.
Excavation (2000)
NT 9042 6604 An archaeological excavation was carried out in Abbey Yards Field, which lies a short distance to the NE of Coldingham Priory. A total of 26 inhumations were uncovered, representing two separate phases of burials. The earlier was orientated on a NE-SW alignment and finds suggest a 10th to 11th-century date. This cemetery would appear to have gone out of use when first a chapel and then the Benedictine priory was established in the late 11th to early 12th century. During the 13th to 14th centuries this area would probably have lain at the edge of the precinct of the priory and was the focus of various activities with a possible fish pond, water channels and a tanning pit sited here. Finds recovered from the excavation also suggest butchery and the processing of carcases. In the late medieval or early post-medieval period, these features went out of use and the area reverted to a cemetery, with burials on an E-W alignment.
A full report has been lodged with the NMRS.
Sponsor: Scottish Borders Council.
S Stronach 2000.
Excavation (June 2002)
NT 9055 6604 Excavation at Abbey Yards Field in June 2002 discovered up to eight inhumations, six oriented NE–SW and one oriented E–W. However, post-excavation analysis by Headland Archaeology of inhumations from an area immediately to the E of the current excavation area (DES 2000, 76) indicated that there was no correlation between orientation and date of inhumation. At least four of the inhumations excavated were laid
out with their hands behind their backs, placed beneath the pelvis. A single course of drystone walling was discovered 0.8m below the current ground surface. The undressed sandstone and igneous blocks were laid upon a bright brown clay foundation. The function of the structure to which this wall belongs is unknown. (AOC 3812)
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: Power Systems.
Watching Brief (March 2002)
NT 904 660
A watching brief was maintained in March 2002 during the excavation of a service trench and post-holes immediately adjacent to the site of the 2000 excavation (DES 2000, 76). No archaeologically significant features or deposits were encountered.
Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.
Sponsor: SP Power Systems Ltd.
R Conolly 2002
Sbc Note (21 March 2016)
Visibility: This was the site of an archaeological monument, which may no longer be visible.
Information from Scottish Borders Council
