Skip to main content
12 Martin's Lane
E19
E19
Out of copyright - CC0

12 Martin's Lane

E19
View Objects
DescriptionExcavation of part of the medieval Carmelite friary (NJ90NW0006) was carried out by Aberdeen City Council Archaeological Unit in 1980-1. It recorded the south-west corner of the Carmelite friary church, which had two surviving buttresses, one with a mason's mark. Remains of a lead water pipe were found, which supplied the friary from the late 13th century. Many small objects were recovered including book fittings, window glass and leading, stone roof slates and shroud pins. A total of 126 burials were excavated from within the church; one had a copper-alloy bracelet around the wrist. Diseases identified on the remains included tuberculosis and osteomyelitis and there were several fractured bones, a healed blade wound to a skull and many examples of the diseases of the elderly. The finds from this site are in the collections of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums. A plaque in the present car park (on south facing wall NJ90NW1293 near the end of St Martin's Lane) records the excavation and site of the friary.
Location InfoNational Grid Reference: NJ 9411 0609
Easting: 394115.772728201, Northing: 806096.136413967
Postcode: AB11 6NR
NotesStones, J A (ed.. (1989a) Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): vol. 12 (Aberdeen), 34 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO See Murray, JC (ed.) (1982). Excavations in the Medieval Burgh of Aberdeen 1973-1981. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series No. 2. Edinburgh. 115, for summarised account of the excavation. Reference Numbers
  • 76174
  • NJ90NW239
  • NJ90NW0107