The Green

E38

DescriptionExcavation carried out in 1994 by Aberdeen City Council Archaeological Unit revealed evidence of prehistoric, early medieval ploughing and medieval date, including the 13th-16th century Carmelite (Whitefriars) friary (NJ90NW0006). The earliest evidence from this site was in the form of ditches dating to the late prehistoric period. Plough marks indicate that prior to the construction of the Carmelite friary on the site the area was cultivated. The earliest constructions of the friary include wooden buildings, represented in the archaeological record by large post-holes, with smaller stake- holes indicating partitions within buildings, and fences. The construction of the stone church was probably started in the late 13th century. Two chamfered sandstone buttress bases and the mouldings of a doorway in the north wall survived as they were below ground level when the building was demolished West range South-west of the church, a long stone building 24m long and 7m wide may have been the remains of the west range of the cloister. It was divided into four rooms, one of which was probably a kitchen with a fireplace and drain. The building was dated to the 15th century by a coin found in a wall foundation. Two slightly later coins were found in the demolition rubble, which contained hundreds of painted and stained window glass fragments and lead window cames. Adjacent to, and earlier, than this building were post holes suggesting that the stone building had superseded a wooden one. Three burials and an oven or kiln were also associated with the wooden building. This oven may have been for baking bread. The remains of at least three water pipes were found at the site. The lead pipe, encased in clay, survived in one example. It had been laid through the church walls, under the floor of the church and along the side of the west range. In the demolition rubble was a well-preserved bronze spigot or tap, which was probably used in the friars' quarters. This all adds to the picture of a well-developed plumbing system, the earliest known in Aberdeen. A total of 212 burials, which took place between the late 13th and late 16th century, were excavated. The skeletons varied in age from premature babies to old aged adults and included 64 adults and 22 immature individuals. A quarter of the population did not reach adulthood and of those two thirds died before the age of 6 years. There were roughly equal numbers of males and females. The males were on average 171 cm (5'7'') tall and the females were 155 cm (5'1'') tall. Most of the skeletons were orientated in the usual Christian position, with head to west and feet to east. One north of the church and one inside the church were the wrong way round (head to east), possibly because the body was obscured by a coffin or shroud. One adult was buried to the south of the church with the head to the north. It is not known why this was. Green stains on the bones were common, caused by copper alloy pins used to secure shrouds, or other copper alloy objects in the vicinity of the body during its decay. Many skeletons were associated with lines of iron nails indicating that they had been buried in a coffin, although little of the wood survived. East of the church, in the area thought to be the graveyard for the friary, wood was better preserved than inside the church. Several coffins were found but unfortunately the wood was not well enough preserved to lift. There was a line of small children's burials along the interior of the north wall of the church. Reburial of several skeletons had taken place in the foundation trench of a 19th-century cellar wall.
Location InfoNational Grid Reference: NJ 9409 0605
Easting: 394090.521, Northing: 806056.195
Postcode: AB11 6NR
NotesBateson and Holmes, D and N. (1989) 'The small finds. Aberdeen small finds. Coins and coin weight', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 12: C2 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Bateson, J D. (1990) 'Roman and medieval coins found in Scotland, to 1987', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol. 119, 1989. Page(s): 170 Cameron and Harding, A and D I. (1994a) 'The Green (Aberdeen parish): Carmelite friary', Discovery Excav Scot, 1994. Page(s): 21-2 Cameron, A. (1996k) The Green (Aberdeen parish), Carmelite friary, Discovery Excav Scot, 1996. Page(s): 6 Clark, J. (1981) 'Medieval Britain in 1980. II. post-conquest', Medieval Archaeol, vol. 25. Page(s): 202 Cowan and Easson, I B and D E. (1976) 'Medieval religious houses, Scotland: with an appendix on the houses in the Isle of Man'. 2nd. London. Page(s): 135 RCAHMS Shelf Number: C.3.2.COW Cowan and Easson, I B and D E. (1976) Medieval religious houses in Scotland: with an appendix on the houses in the Isle of Man. 2nd. London. Page(s): 114 RCAHMS Shelf Number: C.3.2.EAS.R Cross and Bruce, J F and M F. (1989) 'The skeletal remains', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): 119-42 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Cross, J F. (1989) 'The skeletal remains. Description of microfiche contents', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 1: E5 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Cross, J F. (1989) 'Aberdeen, 12 Martin's Lane. Skeleton record sheets and tables', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 2: A3 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Cross, J F. (1989) 'Aberdeen, Hadden Street. Skeleton record sheets and tables', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 5: D7 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Dennison and Stones, E P and J. (1997a) Historic Aberdeen: the archaeological implications of development, Scottish Burgh Survey. Edinburgh. Page(s): 74-75 RCAHMS Shelf Number: D.5.13.ABD Easson, D E. (1957a) Medieval religious houses in Scotland: with an appendix on the houses in the Isle of Man. London. Page(s): 114 RCAHMS Shelf Number: C.3.2.EAS Edwards, J. (1910) 'The Carmelites in Scotland', Trans Scot Eccles Soc, vol. 3, 1, 1909-10. Page(s): 76-9 Grierson, P. (1988) 'Letter', Coin Medal Bull, 1988. Page(s): 238-9 Hall, D W. (1989) 'The small finds. Aberdeen small finds. Ceramic objects', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 12: C2 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Holmes, N M M. (1988b) 'A possible Scottish coin-weight from the Carmelite Friary site, Aberdeen', Coin Medal Bull, 1988. Page(s): 166-8 Kerr, N W. (1986) 'Dental examination of the Aberdeen carmelite collection', in Cruwys, E and Foley, R, Teeth and Arthropology, Brit Archaeol Rep, International, vol. 291. Oxford. Page(s): 189-99 Macfarlane, W. (1906-8) Geographical collections relating to Scotland, in Mitchell, A and Clark, J T, 3v. Edinburgh. Page(s): Vol.2, 501 RCAHMS Shelf Number: D.20.MAC.R Murray and Stones, JC and J. (1982) '45-59 Green 1976', in Murray, J C, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series No.2. Page(s): 90 Murray, J C. (1982b) '2-12 Rennie's Wynd 1977, in Murray, J C, Excavations in the medieval burgh of Aberdeen 1973-81, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series No.2. Page(s): 108 Murray, J C. (1989) 'The pottery. Summary report', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): 143-6 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Murray, J C. (1989) 'The pottery. Aberdeen pottery', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 11: G1 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Murray, J C (ed.. (1982a) , Excavations in the medieval burgh of Aberdeen 1973-81, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 2. Edinburgh. RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.MUR Spearman, R M. (1989) 'Aberdeen Carmelite friary; 4.1 The documentary evidence', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): 28-34 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Stones and Oddy, J A and R. (1989) 'The small finds. Aberdeen small finds. Glass objects', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 12: C2 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Stones and Stell, J A and G. (1989) 'The small finds. Aberdeen small finds. Stone objects', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 12: C2 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Stones, J. (1982a) '67-71 Green 1977', in Murray, J C, Excavations in the medieval burgh of Aberdeen 1973-81, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series No.2. Edinburgh. Page(s): 91, 95 Stones, J. (1982b) '12 St Martin's Lane 1981', in Murray, J C, Excavations in the medieval burgh of Aberdeen 1973-81, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series No.2. Page(s): 115 Stones, J. (1980) '12 Martin's Lane' Aberdeen, Discovery Excav Scot, 1980. Page(s): 10 Stones, J A. (1989b) ''Aberdeen: the excavations', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite Friaries. Excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph Series No.6. Edinburgh. Page(s): 35-52 Stones, J A. (1989) 'The burials. The burials at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth friaries', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): 111-6 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Stones, J A. (1989) 'The small finds. Summary report', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): 147-65 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Stones, J A. (1989) 'The small finds. Aberdeen small finds. Lead objects', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 12: C2 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Stones, J A. (1989) 'The small finds. Aberdeen small finds. Copper alloy objects', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 12: C2 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Stones, J A. (1989) 'The small finds. Aberdeen small finds. Iron objects', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 12: C2 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO Stones, J A. (1989) 'The small finds. Aberdeen small finds. Bone objects', in Stones, J A, Three Scottish Carmelite friaries: excavations at Aberdeen, Linlithgow and Perth 1980-1986, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph series no 6. Edinburgh. Page(s): Microfiche 12: C2 RCAHMS Shelf Number: E.13.11.STO See Dennison, E. and Stones, J. (1997). Historic Aberdeen. Edinburgh: Historic Scotland. 73-78, for more context.Reference Numbers