What lies beneath?
Fascinating historic evidence found under tram sites
Archaeologists have been working with the tram project since 2005 to preserve the city’s rich cultural history.
John Lawson, the Council’s archaeologist in charge of overseeing the task, has worked with teams from Headland Archaeology and Glasgow University’s Archaeological Research Division to record historical evidence unearthed as a result of the project’s initial phase of construction.
Archaeological evidence has so far been found at many sites along the route from Edinburgh Airport through to Leith Docks.
This includes:
- more than 300 medieval burials on Constitution Street from a previously unrecorded extension to South Leith Parish graveyard which dates as far back as 1480
- evidence of the medieval town of Leith’s 16th and 17th century town defences
- human remains from a previously lost Carmelite friary, dating back to around the 1590s when the former friary was used as a leper hospital
- remains of a medieval village of Gogar and a prehistoric settlement to the west of the city
- remains of the previous cable-drawn tram network in areas around Haymarket, Princes Street and the top of Leith Walk.
In each case, the finds were thoroughly excavated and catalogued, with samples taken for testing.
The focus now turns to analysing these artefacts and documenting discoveries for future generations, while continuing to monitor the project throughout the remaining construction.
Once the tram project is completed, the Council may look at options for mounting an exhibition to display some of the finds, along with photography from the excavations.
The exhibits would give the public an opportunity to see for themselves the wealth of history that lies beneath Edinburgh’s iconic streets.
John Lawson said: “The archaeological excavations found during the tramworks have helped chart the city’s history.
“It would be great to showcase it.”