Document record MAB62184 - WISHART AVENUE, MONTROSE

Site of burials, remains of cemetery.

Site of burials, remains of cemetery. Human bones were uncovered while an area of garden was being cleared to build a garage at 16 Wishart Avenue, Montrose between 1998 and 2002. The owners reported these to the Archaeology Service. It is probable that a number of other bones were removed with garden material prior to archaeological excavation commencing. During excavation, a 6 m x 4 m spread of skeletal material was identified at the west end of a 24 m x 4 m trench which was cleaned. The remains of six articulated skeletons were found in varying states of preservation at the north end of the site. Three were removed for analysis and the other three left in situ as they would be preserved under the new garage. All were in extended position, aligned east to west with heads at the west end. A number of grave cuts were identified in the section of the trench, and others below the level of disturbance which were left unexcavated. The skeletons were dated to between the 12th century and the 15th century. It is possible that these burials came from a cemetery associated with a hospital which was first mentioned in 1246/1265 when it was described as a hospital for the poor, the exact location of it has never been verified. From the location outside medieval Montrose itself, it is possible that it may have been a Leper's hospital. The extent of the cemetery is unknown, but it is known locally that burials are present directly beneath gardens and the road all along Wishart Avenue. Two sherds of East Coast Redware, which date between the 13th and 15th centuries, were recovered from the ground surface adjacent to the graves but no artefacts from stratified contexts. A 4 m wide cobbled surface was also identified to the east of the graves, from the surface of which came another sherd of similar pottery. The full extent of the cemetery is unknown, but it is known locally that burials are present directly beneath gardens and the road all along Wishart Avenue.

Period Notes
Radiocarbon dates: Skeleton 1 OxA-8747: right femur of female adult extended burial in cut grave BP 635 +/-35, d13C -19.9 (1290 to 1400 cal AD). Skeleton 2 OxA-8474: bone from adult extended burial in cut grave BP 775 +/-40, d13C -20.1. Skeleton 3: OxA-8748: right humerus of adult extended burial in cut grave BP 645 +/-35, d13C -18.6 (1280 to 1400 cal AD).

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 11/06/1998 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

MOLONEY, C, 06/1998, EXCAVATION AT 16 WISHART AVENUE, MONTROSE (Bibliographic reference). SAB2825.

MOLONEY, C, 10/1999, Excavation of a medieval cemetery at 16 Wishart Av (Bibliographic reference). SAB2832.

Moloney, C, 2000, Tayside & Fife Archaeological Journal, Vol 6, p26-31 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2869.

WHITE, H, 2001, TALES FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE. IN THE REVIEW 13/09/01 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2124.

Duffy, P, 2002, WISHART AVENUE, MONTROSE, REPORT 1459 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2459.

DUFFY, P, 2003, 16 WISHART AVENUE, MONTROSE. DES 2003 p25, 25 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4016.

Jun 1 1998 , AAS/GR/98/CT150-54,281-86, AAS/GR/98/CT150-54,281-86 (Ground Photograph). SAB33127.

Author unknown, n.d., COURIER & ADVERTISER, 11/06/1998 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2338.

Record last edited

Aug 26 2024 12:50PM