Postexcavation work is currently underway on the Old Town site between Victoria St and the Cowgate. It revealed a wealth of wellpreserved and wellstratified remains, including waterlogged wooden structures, leather and textiles. Significant assemblages of animal bone and pottery were also recovered as well as many small finds of note. Dendrochronology and other dating means combined with analysis of the archaeological, artefactual and environmental remains have the potential to bring Edinburgh’s burghal beginnings and development into sharp focus.

Julie Franklin is finds and archives manager and a postex project manager with Headland Archaeology. She has over 25 years experience in commercial archaeology, first as a freelance finds specialist and, for the last 18 years, with Headland. She has extensive specialist knowledge of artefacts and of medieval and later archaeology. She has been responsible for bringing a number of projects to publication, including the medieval cemetery excavations at Constitution St, Edinburgh.


This recorded talk took place on Saturday 27th May 2023, at Augustine United Church and was chaired by Moira Greig, President of Archaeology Scotland.

ARP 2023 is sponsored by Forestry and Land Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, GUARD Archaeology Ltd, Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers, and the Federation of Archaeological Managers & Employers.



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