Document record MAB57412 - DUNBAR HALLS

An archaeological evaluation was carried out by Aberdeen City Council Archaeological Unit in January 2002 prior to the demolition of Dunbar Halls of Residence.

An archaeological evaluation was carried out by Aberdeen City Council Archaeological Unit in January 2002 prior to the demolition of Dunbar Halls of Residence. Evidence of three ditches, two large rubbish pits and a wall, probably the remains of the Bishop's Palace (NJ90NW0253), were uncovered. The building was constructed of ashlar sandstone. Very few finds were recovered, but they include window glass and sherds of local medieval pottery. Further trial trenching evaluation was carried out by ACC Archaeological Unit in May 2005 assess the survival of elements of the Old Aberdeen's Bishop's palace, the evaluation focussed on areas to be disturbed by the footprint of the new building and on areas not previously assessed. Ten trenches were excavated and concrete foundations, holes for trees recently planted, and a stone shaft within an undercroft were discovered. The shaft may be a well but could possibly be a 'bottle dungeon', like that of St Andrews Castle, Fife. Medieval pottery and roof tiles were found in the fill. The building above was possibly a two or more- storey structure. Much of the stonework was robbed in antiquity. The finds from this site are in the collections of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums.

ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNIT, 2002, REPORT ON THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AT DUNBAR HALL, OLD ABERDEEN, Evaluation report (Bibliographic reference). SAB6379.

ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNIT, 2005, REPORT ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, DUNBAR HALLS, OLD ABERDEEN, Evaluation report (Bibliographic reference). SAB5634.

ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNIT, 2012, OLD ABERDEEN ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK (DRAFT) (Bibliographic reference). SAB6444.

Record last edited

Nov 17 2025 9:59AM