Excavations at Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh

Archaeological excavations at Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh, revealed significant evidence of urban development and transformation in the Old Town from the 16th to the 19th century. The study uncovered medieval burgage plots with terrace walls, indicating substantial investment during a period of decline in Scottish towns. Notably, late 16th- and early 17th-century multi-storey tenement buildings emerged on the site, characterized by cellars that were later demolished and backfilled with refuse between the 1640s and 1740s. These refuse deposits provided valuable insights into changing consumption patterns during this period. The area's status declined in the 18th century, transitioning to an industrial use, culminating in the establishment of a tannery by the 1830s. This research sheds light on the evolution of Edinburgh's urban landscape and its socio-economic shifts over three centuries.

Masser, P., Kimber, M., Franklin, J., Cross, M., & Tourunen, A. (2014). Excavations at Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh. Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports, 58, 1–56. https://doi.org/10.9750/issn.2056-7421.2014.58.1-56