The Monument Project
Riverside Archaeology
2013
After the successful completion of a
number of archaeological digs, walks and events in 2011-2 the Peter Potter
Gallery is gearing up to offer the community some exciting new opportunities
this year.
As a contemporary art gallery, we are unique in our
commissioning of original archaeological research, something we have achieved
through partnership working with local archaeologist David Connolly. Also, by
involving artists and other art-form specialists – along with the wider
community – in the experience of local archaeology, we intend to open up new
discussions and stimulate new interpretations of our history. As part of the
Monument Project, the Peter Potter Gallery is running a series of archaeology projects
and workshops with archaeologist, David Connolly.
There will be exciting digs with the community that will
produce original data, helping to further our understanding of this historic East
Lothian town. The sites are located along the river near the gallery, ranging
in date from the 16th century to the 19th century, with a
particular focus on the Siege of Haddington. The workshops and events are fun
opportunities that give firsthand experience of an excavation site with
archaeologists, as well as taking surveys to record historical data.
If you want to get involved in the project then get in touch
with the gallery to join our mailing list for education and events info. Read
more about the projects below, and prepare to learn more about Haddington’s
rich history in 2013!
CSI
Haddington: The siege
This bloodthirsty project will
involve surveying and recording the traces left from the Siege of Haddington!
Several centuries of rivalry and dispute between Scotland and England led to
this siege (1548-49), which involved a number of bloody invasions. The siege
was partly the result of King Henry VIII wanting Mary, Queen of Scots to marry
his son Edward, otherwise known as the ‘Rough Wooing’. However, while the
English, Scots and French fought long and hard, eventually the English
abandoned the town due to disease and starvation and leaving utter devastation
behind. It is thought that the only remaining evidence Haddington has of the
siege is St Mary’s Church, part of which had to be rebuilt following canon
fire. However, there are various marks that represent musket fire, which are
still visible on the walls today.
The project, CSI Haddington will involve members of the
community, expert Dr Tom Dawson and archaeology students to create a catalogue
of the church’s signs of the siege. Also, the shot trajectories and its
features will be investigated to assess the direction of fire, in order to
develop a better understanding of the battle. This can be used to work out the
possible attacking strategies and positions of the Scottish and French troops
that were trying to invade the town. This could perhaps assist with
establishing the boundaries of Haddington’s large earth rampart built by the
English, who occupied the town. In addition,
this will create further information about the size of the town in the
1540’s and offer an interesting contrast to the 21st century
Haddington we know.
Excavation
at The Sands: The Washhouse/ Bathhouse
Nearby the Peter Potter Gallery there
used to stand an Old Washhouse from the 19th century. It was located
by the Nungate Bridge. The building’s exact history is unknown, although there
are various maps from 1818 to 1893. They illustrate that a building was present
in 1818, which then vanishes in 1953, being replaced by another building that
has been labelled as a Public Bath and Wash House (1893). The intriguing
history of this building will be investigated further in a week-long excavation
open to the public, which may shed light on the past activities and society of
Haddington’s residents. There are opportunities for school children and the
community to get involved with the dig and surveys in the Nunbridge area,
learning more about the local history through these various interactions.
Excavation
at Hardgate: Bothwell’s Castle
Our final excavation links to some of
the most sensational figures of the sixteenth century. This now ruined town
house dates to the late 16th/early 17th century. Its
original name is thought to be Sandybed House and it is likely to have been
owned by the Cockburn family. There is, however, some debate about this issue -
a story that is associated with the property which has led some to consider The 4th
Earl of Bothwell, third husband of Mary Queen of Scots, to be the owner. In
both the oral history tradition and in 19th century written
histories of the region, the house is long recounted as the property of
Bothwell. There are some delicious stories about Bothwell’s adventures which we
will be both putting to the test and sharing with you this year!
Whilst the house was demolished in the 1950s, what remains
below ground provides an interesting comparison to the Siege of Haddington and
the life and times of the Queen of Scots. Hopefully, with extensive digging and
the help of the community, we can develop upon the little evidence we have about
the site and in doing so gain a more informative picture of its history.
Whether or not you have previous experience of
archaeology, you are welcome to join us for our exciting workshops which are
bound to be very revealing!
Contact us to join our mailing list or find us on facebook:
Email: hello.ppgallery@yahoo.co.uk (01620) 822080
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