Tram workers find secret chambers beneath Princes Street

Published on Monday 16 March 2009 08:48

TRAM workers have discovered three mysterious underground chambers on Princes Street which could date as far back as the 18th century.

The discovery of the dome-shaped chambers was made close to the bus stop next to The Mound, opposite Clinton Cards.

Workers for Carillion – the company responsible for rerouting utilities as part of Edinburgh's trams project – were attempting to relocate an underground water pipe when they came across the chambers, which consist of brick and stone and are said to be in excellent condition.

It is not yet known what the chambers were used for but it is thought they were created around the time that the Capital's New Town was built.

The find will be documented and covered over, with Edinburgh City Council keen to stress that the tram works will not be delayed by the discovery. A small area surrounding the find, made on Tuesday, has been cordoned off.

Project supervisor for Headland Archaeology, Michael Simonsson, said: "The chambers are all in a row and there appear to be doorways facing Princes Street Gardens that have been blocked, although the actual chambers have not been filled in. The doorways appear to have been deliberately blocked with rubble.

"We're not entirely sure what they were used for at this stage but it's not been for drainage. They might have been used to store something. The chambers are very well preserved."

Archaeologists were exploring the site on Friday, remaining cautious to ensure that no damage was caused to the underground structures.

The chambers, which are approximately three metres wide and 2.5 metres long, are located around one metre underground, with the state of the bricks suggesting that the structures could have been created around 200 years ago, although this has not been confirmed.

The back and front walls of the chambers are made of stone. The chambers have brick arches on top.

Mr Simonsson said: "It has to relate to the construction of the New Town – we might be talking Georgian or Victorian times.

"I'm excited about it because it's not very often that you come across underground chambers this well preserved. There has been some previous damage but we're not sure when it was caused. It's a bit of an unexpected find but it's a very, very good find."

He added: "We are producing a written and photographic record of the chambers, locating where they are and then protective work is being done."

Mr Simonsson has managed to have a peek into two of the chambers, on one occasion taking a digital camera with him.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The find will be documented and covered over, and the tram works will continue as normal with no hold-up."