Cowgate Fire Site, Edinburgh

At the end of 2007, AOC Archaeology Group undertook an archaeological excavation of the Cowgate Fire site, which revealed archaeological remains of post-medieval Edinburgh’s historic Old Town.

The site, now known as the SoCo development, was severely damaged by fire on the night of 7th December 2002. Since then a rapid building recording survey was carried out in early 2003, which was followed by an archaeological evaluation by AOC Archaeology Group in 2004. This evaluation found that extensive terracing into the natural slope during the later 18th century had removed any medieval or post-medieval deposits along the southern portion of the site, though limited deposits of post-medieval material survived closer to the Cowgate side of the site. Therefore, before Whiteburn Projects Ltd could redevelop the site, the City of Edinburgh Council Archaeology Service required a building recording survey to complete the record of the upstanding building remains and an archaeological excavation to record the post-medieval archaeology surviving along the Cowgate frontage of the site.

The recent 2007 excavation confirmed that an increasing depth of archaeological deposits survived northwards towards the Cowgate and revealed five distinct phases of activity.  Underlying the remnants of the 20th century buildings and associated services, the basal remains of the 19th century tenement building walls, internal partitioning of the related cellarage and an associated area of cobbles was exposed. These features truncated and overlay a number of structural components relating to 18th century post-medieval buildings. This included a cobbled surface, a series of walls, some drain features and discontinuous areas of stone flagging. Underlying these components the remnants of an earlier building with some intact architectural features and related drain systems were exposed. The first phase of activity uncovered revealed a substantial block of bonded masonry and the truncated remains of a large pit. A sizable assemblage of ceramics including a complete ‘pirlie pig’ money bank, complemented a small collection of coins and worked bone, along with the expected larger quantities of animal bones and shellfish remains. Presently a programme of post excavation is being formulated which will hopefully lead to life in Edinburgh’s Old Town being more fully understood. Now the excavation is complete, subject to a watching brief in certain parts of the site, Whiteburn Projects Ltd are making the final preparations towards submitting a planning application for SoCo.

AOC Project Manager: Lindsay Dunbar
Client:Whiteburn Cowgate Ltd