Dig puts new part of Leith past in place

REMAINS found on a Leith street have suggested parts of the area once lay on the edge a medieval town.

Archaeologists have been working on the Henderson Street site before it is developed as an affordable housing block.

Simon Stronach, project manager for Headland Archaeology which carried out the work, said it helped the company's overall research in the area.

He said: "We did find some medieval remains, one possible oven and some medieval pot fragments and bone.

"However, the medieval remains were not particularly rich and our initial interpretation is that this area must have lain on the edge of the medieval town rather than within it.

"It was not until later - possibly the 16th-17th century - that this part of Leith began to be built up. It is another small part of the jigsaw and helps in our understanding of how the port developed."

Work will now begin on the 15-unit Port of Leith development, which should provide additional affordable housing by next summer.

Any site in Leith subject to development must carry out an archaeological dig as the area has proved to be fruitful ground for historical finds in the past.