SUAT often carries out excavations before new buildings are constructed, in areas where interesting archaeology is likely to survive under the ground. We recently carried out an excavation close to Arbroath Abbey, as Historic Scotland, who look after the Abbey, are setting up a new visitor centre there. The Abbey was established over 800 years ago, in 1178, by William the Lion, who was buried there in the year 1214.
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The excavation produced interesting results,
as part of the original wall around the medieval Abbey
was discovered. Also found were part of a gateway and
part of a track that led into the Abbey precinct (the
area around the Abbey buildings). Four human skeletons were also found during the excavation. These may have been the remains of medieval monks who were buried close to the Abbey. |
Many carved stones were also uncovered. Some of these had simple marks scratched onto them by medieval stonemasons, to show that the stone-carving was their work. Other craftsmen working on the abbey buildings may have also used this area, as waste material from metal-working was found. Other finds from the excavation include pottery fragments, coins, window glass, personal possessions and clothing items such as buckles. Animal bones (the remains of meals) were also found.
| The two photos on this page show the newly-discovered section of the medieval abbey precinct wall. |  |