ARCHAEOLOGISTS
have unearthed evidence of what is believed to be the largest Anglo-Saxon
building found in Scotland.
The foundations
of the building, which may have been a monastery or even a royal home dating
back to about 1,200 years ago, were discovered during excavations in Glebe
Field, Aberlady.
Tests on an
animal bone found at the scene have confirmed it dates back to between the 7th
and 9th century.
Ian Malcolm,
from Aberlady Conservation and History Society, described the first date
evidence from the site as “very, very exciting”.
He said: “It is
evidence that it was an important and a wealthy site.”
The result of
radiocarbon-dating the bone confirms the foundations for the building, which
would have measured 40 metres by 20 metres, is from Anglo-Saxon times.
The dig, which
took place in April and May, was overseen by AOC Archaeology Group and the
society with the help of the local community. It aimed to discover the remains
of Anglo-Saxon timber halls, after the largest concentration of Anglo-Saxon
metal objects to be found in Scotland were discovered in the field.
Aberlady was on
a pilgrimage route between Iona and Holy Island and a fragment of an
eighth-century cross was also discovered.
The dig
unearthed evidence of a large structure, with the stone foundation of a wall
along its short end.
Mr Malcolm said
the structure would have to be significant because of the work that would have
been undertaken to build it.
He said: “It
may have been monastic, or a feast hall or a royal site. There have been other
excavations but no evidence of a structure on this scale has been discovered.”
Also uncovered
during the archaeological work was an area containing laid paving, with an open
‘pit’ area. It has been suggested it may have contained the foundation for the
original eighth-century Northumbrian Cross, a reconstruction of which sits in
Aberlady’s Memorial Garden. There also appear to have been workshops outside
the main structure where the bone, a carved antler and metal finds were
located. Details of the dig and finds can be found on the Aberlady Angles
project website, aberladyangles.com
About 350
pupils from schools in East Lothian visited the site over the excavation period
and more than 1,000 volunteer-hours were involved in the excavation, as well as
a stream of visitors.
Mr Malcolm said
the project hoped to investigate the site further later this year but would
need to hold discussions with Historic Environment Scotland.
He said: “It is
the site of an ancient scheduled monument, so discussions will need to take
place before any further investigation on the site takes place.”
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