Building of the new Virgin Hotel – the first in Europe – will begin soon now that the archaeological works have been completed.
The 225 bedroom hotel is now due to open in 2021 which is a year later than originally estimated.
The City Archaeologist John Lawson said that the finds in the Cowgate are some of the ‘most significant medieval archaeological excavations undertaken recently in Edinburgh’. John told us last year when we visited the site that it was exciting to know there was a bigger settlement here in Edinburgh than just the castle and St Cuthbert’s Church.
Some of the material found on the site is from the Bronze Age and as we reported to you before the likelihood is that this is where Edinburgh really began in the shadow of the Castle.
Archaeologists are very interested in the discoveries and about 300 people have been to see the site which has also been discussed at conferences.
Virgin Hotels CEO Raul Leal is delighted that the site has such a history, even though it has meant a delay in the hotel development. He said : “We always knew that India Buildings was a special place and a very special development for Virgin Hotels, 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. We appreciate the support and help the experts at CGMS, the City Archaeologist John Lawson and the council over what has been a forensic examination of the location.”
He added: ‘While we’ve been keen to get on with the India Buildings development, we know how important it is to take advantage of an opportunity like this to shine a light on the lives and history of the city’s earliest residents and communities. Virgin Hotels is proud to have played a part in work of such national importance. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the city through to the hotel opening, and we will look at ways we can inform our guests of the rich history beneath the rooms in which they will sleep.’
Culture and Communities Convener Donald Wilson said : “As a council we are fully committed to understanding and preserving the story of this great city, and I would like to thank Virgin Hotels, AOC Archaeology and CGMS for working so closely with our team on this fascinating project. It just goes to show how important it is that we take the opportunity with every major development in the city to investigate what’s underneath with a thorough excavation. The items found will help provide new insight into some of the earliest chapters in Edinburgh’s story, and I’m sure, will launch future scientific papers and exhibitions. We also look forward to seeing the first Virgin Hotel in Europe opening here in the near future.
Among the key objects discovered on the site which extends from India Buildings down to the Cowgate behind are :
- A sequence of buildings spanning the last millennium. The first dates to the 10th-12th century, making it one of the earliest recorded in the city. The remains of the buildings included hearths, wattle panels and structural timbers
- A series of ditches and walls marking the boundary of Medieval Edinburgh.
- Extensive remains associated with Medieval industry, in particular tanning, with large quantities of leather and associated waste material recovered
- Medieval rubbish pits and wells, including barrel lined examples.
- A very large finds assemblage including shoes, textiles, tools, knives, jewellery and clothing accessories
- A ‘costrel’, which is a traditional early drinking vessel made of leather – see below*
- Various projectiles, including a probable 13th century trebuchet ball and an early cannonball
- A human skull from the 16th/17thC
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