Series: Aberdeen City Council Archaeological Unit unpublished report series

Watching brief and recording well

Trial trenching prior to redevelopment of this area and further excavation of a wooden structure.

Recording of small soil strip carried out prior to creation of outside patio.

Archaeological Walkover Surveys were carried out at Wellington Rd, North Loirston, Burnbanks, Sheddocksley and Greenfern, Aberdeen prior to thinning and replanting.

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken on the site of a proposed development at Caberstone House, Belmont St, Aberdeen. The small excavated area (approx 60m sq) was situated between Caberstone House to the E-N/E and the Belmont Cinema to the W-S/W. The ground on site comprised made-up ground (mainly brown clay) cut through by services. The excavations had exposed some of the foundations for Caberstone House; otherwise there was no evidence for the existence or survival of any significant archaeological features.

This site (NJ 94420624; Ill 1) lies close to the heart of the medieval burgh of Aberdeen. Although many of the existing buildings are no more than 40 years old, they were built before prior archaeological assessment became the norm on such development sites. Construction of the existing car park and other buildings, and associated landscaping, may have been destructive of some archaeological deposits. However, previous experience in other locations within the medieval burgh has revealed remarkable pockets of survival, and no opportunities must be lost to record any evidence which does remain. The first stage of evaluation work at the site, in 2003, indicated that some archaeological stratigraphy does survive on the site.

Excavation of trenches after the demolition of Dunbar Halls of Residence revealed a well probably belonging to the medieval Bishop''s Palace.

Building recording of a 19th-century farm

Watching brief of soil strip and service trenches

Excavation of a lift shaft revealed medieval and earlier deposits.