Spanou, S. (2009). Edinburgh Trams Project: Report on archaeological excavations of South Leith Parish Church Graveyard, Constitution Street, Leith. Headland Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.5284/1028694. Cite this using datacite

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Title:		 Edinburgh Trams Project: Report on archaeological excavations of South Leith Parish Church Graveyard, Constitution Street, Leith
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Series:		 Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd unpublished report series
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headland1-150108_1.pdf (4 MB) : Download
headland1-150108_2.pdf (4 MB) : Download
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https://doi.org/10.5284/1028694
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Publication Type:		 Report (in Series)
Abstract
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Abstract:		 Headland Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (tie) Limited to carry out archaeological works comprising the excavation of the remains of the post-medieval graveyard associated with South Leith Parish Church in advance of the main tram track construction (INFRACO) in Constitution Street. The excavation yielded 302 inhumations within a variety of grave types. Constitution Street, adjacent to the graveyard wall of the local parish church, was built in 1790 to improve access to the harbour. Despite the proximity to a known graveyard, the density and preservation of graves was unexpected, as the extent of burials was thought not to have gone much beyond the existing graveyard wall. No finds of human remains had been reported previously, despite evidence that many burials had been cut by modern services. The graves, orientated WNW-ESE, were arranged in closely spaced rows. The majority were single, supine extended inhumations interred in wooden coffins or in earthen graves. Also present were shrouded bodies placed in simple graves, group burials in irregular pits including superimposed double burials, usually of a child and an adult. Most artefacts were iron coffin nails, with a few shroud pins. A copper buckle was found in one grave, along with textile remains of clothing worn by the deceased. Documentary and pottery evidence point to a date in the 16th and 17th centuries for most graves, and all pre-date construction of Constitution Street c.1790. There is a strong possibility however that earlier medieval burials are located in the cemetery, possibly associated with the 15th-century hospital and chapel which stood on and close to the present church. Radiocarbon dating and further stratigraphic analysis may give us a more accurate picture of their chronology. Sorina Spanou, Headland Archaeology Ltd 2009
Author
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Author:		 S Spanou
Publisher
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Publisher:		 Headland Archaeology
Other Person/Org
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Other Person/Org:		 Historic Scotland (OASIS Reviewer)
City of Edinburgh Archaeology Service (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication:		 2009
Locations
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Locations:
Site: Constitution Street, Leith
Parish: EDINBURGH
County: Edinburgh
Country: Scotland
Location - Auto Detected: Constitution Street
Grid Reference: 327097, 676043 (Easting, Northing)
Subjects / Periods
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Subjects / Periods:
POST MEDIEVAL (ScAPA : Scottish Archaeological Periods & Ages) HUMAN REMAINS (Object England)
MEDIEVAL (ScAPA : Scottish Archaeological Periods & Ages)
17th Centuries (Auto Detected Temporal)
1790 (Auto Detected Temporal)
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OASIS Id: headland1-150108
OBIB: ETCS08
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Note:		 A4 bound Data structure Report
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Created Date:		 28 Nov 2016