OS1/11/105/228

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 228
Antiquities of Edinburgh
(From the Scotsman of 13th April 1833)

In digging the foundations some months ago of the new Buildings erecting behind the Parliament
Square some discoveries were made which throw an interesting light on the ancient history of the town. The section
below represents a portion of the trench dug for the foundation
of a wall running north and south and now raised to the height of
[---] feet. Of course the objects we describe are now covered up and
[entirely] invisible but the section was taKen at the time along with
[---] notes from which our present remarKs are written.
The section runs south & north across Cowgate and up
towards the High street.
The Parliament Square with part of the wall of the Cathedral on the
[right]
The situation of Sir W. Forbes' Old Bank
The Cowgate
The Old MealmarKet which was at one time a sort of general marKet or Exchange
The wall on the north side of MealmarKet which was part of the Old town wall built about 1450 it is about
5 feet thick growing thinner a little as it ascends.
A mass of travelled earth 20 or 30 feet thick lying in a Strata - dipping to the south at a high angle shewing that
had been tumbled over at many successive periods and left to settle in beds parallel to the natural surface below, the
[town] wall W [West] serving to support it at the lower side.
An older wall 5 or 6 feet thick within the other of similar strength and materials, both are of ruble work and united
with strong binding mortar. It is only the upper part of this wall which has been seen but its foundation probably extends a
[good] way downwards.

[Diagram/drawing included on page]
 
[continued on page 229]

Transcriber's notes

Words lost in fold

This Name Book refers to Edinburgh 1852 - Sheet 35
OS large scale Scottish town plans, 1847-1895 - Scale: 1:1056