Excavations in the Canongate Backlands, Edinburgh

Archaeological excavations in the Canongate Backlands, part of Edinburgh's Old Town World Heritage Site, revealed significant medieval and post-medieval features, including a possible 12th-century burgh ditch, a 17th-century well, a medieval graindrying kiln, refuse pits, drainage features, and quarry pits. These findings provide valuable insights into the site's historical development, particularly its boundary works and land use practices from the medieval to post-medieval periods. The study employed systematic excavations in two plots (Plot N of the Holyrood North Re-Development Project and alongside Calton Road), uncovering substantial artefact assemblages that contribute to our understanding of Edinburgh's layered history.

Gooder, J., Ellis, C., Haggarty, G., Heald, A., Campbell, S., Henderson, D., Gallagher, D. B., Holmes, N. N. M., Turnbull, J., & Vandorpe, P. (2013). Excavations in the Canongate Backlands, Edinburgh. Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports, 56, 1–42. https://doi.org/10.9750/issn.2056-7421.2013.56.1-42