Medieval haul found on site of new Edinburgh hotel

Archaeologists digging on the site of a new hotel in Edinburgh's Old Town say they have discovered some of the city's most important finds in recent years.

Experts have discovered items which potentially date back to the Bronze Age, with city archaeologist John Lawson describing them as: "Of national importance and one of the most significant medieval archaeological excavations undertaken recently in Edinburgh."

They'll now be analysed to work out more precise information.

The completion of the dig means construction of the Virgin Hotel just off the Cowgate can get underway.

It's due to open in 2021.

City of Edinburgh Council's Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Donald Wilson, said: "As a council we are fully committed to understanding and preserving the story of this great city, and I would like to thank Virgin Hotels, AOC Archaeology and CGMS for working so closely with our team on this fascinating project.

"It just goes to show how important it is that we take the opportunity with every major development in the city to investigate what’s underneath with a thorough excavation.

"The items found will help provide new insight into some of the earliest chapters in Edinburgh’s story, and I’m sure, will launch future scientific papers and exhibitions.

"We also look forward to seeing the first Virgin Hotel in Europe opening here in the near future.”

Among the items discovered during the dig at the India Buildings site were:

• A sequence of buildings spanning the last millennium. The first dates to the 10th-12th century, making it one of the earliest recorded in the city. The remains of the buildings included hearths, wattle panels and structural timbers

• A series of ditches and walls marking the boundary of Medieval Edinburgh.

• Extensive remains associated with Medieval industry, in particular tanning, with large quantities of leather and associated waste material recovered

• Medieval rubbish pits and wells, including barrel lined examples.

• A very large finds assemblage including shoes, textiles, tools, knives, jewelry and clothing accessories

• A ‘costrel’, which is a traditional early drinking vessel made of leather

• Various projectiles, including a probable 13thC trebuchet ball and an early cannonball

• A human skull from the 16th/17th

Virgin Hotels CEO Raul Leal said, "We always knew that India Buildings was a special place and a very special development for Virgin Hotels, though I’m not sure we could have guessed just how amazing it really is.

"A unique insight has been gained into life in Edinburgh and the city’s development over nearly 1,000 years.

"We appreciate the support and help the experts at CGMS, the City Archaeologist John Lawson and the council over what has been a forensic examination of the location."