E37

Excavation in 1993 by Aberdeen City Council Archaeological Unit recorded medieval and post-medieval layers. The excavation took place on a steeply sloping site between Castle Street and Virginia Street. The ground was heavily used in the medieval period, with the earliest evidence including the quarrying of sand and gravel from the slope and the backfilling of the quarrying pits with medieval pottery and metalwork. This material included at least one complete medieval pot decorated with three representations of bears' faces. The remains of several buildings included a substantial stone building dating to the 13th or 14th century and the remains of burnt thatch from at least two buildings of the same period. Slightly later, in the 15th century, a set of stone steps was constructed to lead from the rear of the buildings on Castle Street down to the harbour area. Post-medieval activity on this site included a large stone and clay-lined pit, constructed for an industrial use, and the walls of the Aberdeen Children's Hospital, later to be used by 'Cocky' Hunter for a branch of his emporium, where he sold a huge range of products including furniture which 'poured' out onto the street. Examination of relatively undisturbed levels below 42 Castle Street revealed virtually no deposits above the natural subsoil.