Published on : Saturday, June 29, 2019
The archeological discoveries were made at the India Buildings site in Victoria Street, which is being turned into a hotel by Virgin Group. The objects uncovered in the dig included jewellery, footwear, and tools.
The hotel’s opening has been put back until 2021 in light of the historical discoveries. Some parts of the original city walls have also been discovered during the excavation work.
Edinburgh City Council archaeologist John Lawson told the Edinburgh Evening News that the project was one of the most significant urban excavations ever undertaken in Scotland.
Mr Lawson said that a series of buildings which pre-dated the formation of the medieval town in the 12th Century had been found for the first time. He said that the quality of the items’ preservation had been “outstanding”.
Virgin Hotels chief executive Raul Leal said that they always knew India Buildings was a special place and a very special development, though I’m not sure we could have guessed just how amazing it really is.
A unique insight has been gained into life in Edinburgh and the city’s development over nearly 1,000 years.