India Buildings, Edinburgh

Excavations within Edinburgh’s Old Town have been numerous over the years, but the India Buildings site, located between Victoria Street and the Cowgate, proved exceptional. The site preserved a well-stratified sequence of deposits from the present day down to at least the 12th century. Waterlogged areas led to the survival of large quantities of wood, leather, textiles, plant remains and other organic materials, an unprecedented assemblage for Edinburgh.

Headland Archaeology secured the contract to undertake the Post-Excavation analysis, based on the strength of our experienced team, broad expertise and local knowledge. The specialist assessment and Post-Excavations Research Design (PERD) were completed in 2023. Post-excavation analysis is now underway, with plans to publish the results in an Oxbow monograph in 2027.

The dating programme, combining dendrochronology and radiocarbon analysis, revealed rare evidence of Bronze Age activity in Edinburgh, alongside timber construction dating to the 12th century, around the time of the burgh’s foundation. Forthcoming analysis of the dating and stratigraphy is expected to allow for precise chronological phasing, with potential implications for broader regional typologies and timelines. It may even be possible to link some archaeological features with known historic events, for example, a destruction layer caused by fire might correspond to Edward I’s visit during the Wars of Independence.

Analysis of four barrels found as pit liners revealed them to be reused wine barrels originating from the Loire and Meuse valleys. The site’s pottery and animal bone assemblages are notably large, and the excavation yielded several remarkable small finds, including a rare complete leather costrel (water bottle), a ceramic votive figurine of the Virgin and Child, and a perforated scallop shell, a medieval pilgrimage symbol from Santiago de Compostela, Spain

There was abundant stratigraphic and artefactual evidence for medieval tanning, leatherworking, and associated industries such as butchery. The leather assemblage, comprising around 2,000 pieces, and the animal bone assemblage, weighing nearly 800kg, are significant.

Headland’s post-excavation team includes in-house specialists in animal bone, pottery, glass, small finds, shell, and plant remains. We also work closely with a broad network of external experts in wood, textiles, leather, and documentary research, and maintain academic partnerships to conduct scientific analyses that explore the provenance and composition of materials. Together, this collaborative team is helping to shed new light on Edinburgh’s early development, economy, and industries, bringing the city’s burghal origins into sharper focus.