Tram bones thought to be leprosy victims

Published on Monday 27 July 2009 10:28

ARCHAEOLOGISTS believe that human bones discovered by tram workers could be linked to a 500-year-old priory and leprosy hospital.

Workers found two skeletons while digging up the road to move utilities at the top of Leith Walk.

The bones have now been carefully removed, and will be tested by experts in a bid to determine their age.

City archaeologist John Lawson said they could be part of a burial ground linked to a 16th-century priory, which once stood around 100 metres from the site in Elm Row.

He said: "We have discovered two adult bodies. They are a bit of a mystery at the moment.

"We suspect they could be part of a Carmelite priory in the area, which later became a lepers' hospital. Historically, the location for the priory is thought to be on the other side of the road, near Deanside Place. We've been trying to find it for some time, but this is our first evidence of the site.

"There could well be more remains, but we just don't know at the moment. There may be some kind of cemetery here."

He said they were working closely with trams firm TIE to excavate the area, but it is not expected to delay the tram work.