AS IF Edinburgh’s schools are not having enough trouble at the moment, news emerged yesterday of the discovery of human remains in the grounds of St Mary’s Primary School in Leith.
This time, however, no one alive is to blame for the need to fence off a small area at the school, and neither recent foul play nor builders’ errors are suspected, as the skeleton is believed to be 400 years old.
The skeleton was found during an excavation over the Easter break as part of investigative works for a new classroom building at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Leith.
Workers from Morrison Construction called in the police but they have formally passed the find on to the city’s archaeological team, led by John Lawson.
Richard Lewis, culture convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh has such a rich history and the skeleton at St Mary’s is yet another astonishing archaeological find. The council will work with Morrison Construction to further investigate the site.”
The council emphasised that the area where the remains were discovered has been fenced off but the school remains open for pupils.
Mary Bainbridge, acting head teacher at St Mary’s, wrote to parents and carers to inform them of the find and the closure of the area.
She wrote: “While digging the foundations of the new classroom building, Morrison Construction uncovered what are thought to be human remains dating from the 17th century or earlier. Some pottery was also found.
“This archaeological work did not affect the school opening as usual and the construction of the new classroom building will continue once the council’s archaeologist gives the go-ahead. I will ensure that you are kept up to date with any further developments.
“The school is very excited about the educational opportunities that the archaeological work on site may present and I have already been in discussion with the council’s archaeologist about the different ways the pupils will be able to engage and the experiences that can be offered.”
It is the second time in two years that human remains have been found by workers constructing a new school development in Edinburgh.
Not far from Leith, at Newhaven, the body of a suspected pirate was discovered in January, 2014, by workers digging up ground for the extension to Victoria Primary School.
It is believed that the man, who was in his 50s, was hanged from a gibbet overlooking Newhaven Harbour sometime in the 16th century as a deterrent to pirates and looters.
The latest skeleton dates from 100 years later, and may be that of a victim of the plague, which ravaged Leith on numerous occasions.
Edinburgh Council archaeologist Mr Lawson said: “The skeleton was uncovered as part of a carefully planned excavation. This seems to be the site of an unknown, unmarked, grave dating to the 17th century.
“It is thought the burial, outside the original Edinburgh town borders in Leith, may be a plague victim but further analysis needs to be undertaken.”
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