The final archaeological excavation at a lost bishop’s palace site in Aberdeenshire has produced further rare finds.
After 16 years of investigations, the annual dig at Fetternear has become one of the longest-running of its kind in Scotland.
Work started on the ancient estate just outside Kemnay in 1995, when the late Nicholas Bogdan from Barra, near Oldmeldrum, and University of Wales Lampeter archaeologist Penny Dransart discovered long-forgotten remains of a 13th- and 14th-century palace below the former lawns of ruined Fetternear House.
Yesterday’s dig uncovered an unusual bottle seal, while a visiting expert identified a recently uncovered ornate roof carving as probably being from the massive mediaeval palace, which was built for the bishops of Aberdeen.
Ms Dransart said last night that the latest finds were both “intriguing and exciting”.
A trained team of local volunteers and students from the US will be concentrating their efforts inside the former moat of the palace as excavations continue until the end of this month.
Last year, a range of imported high-quality 14th- century pottery was found in the area, with a massive and well-preserved beam that had once been part of a trestle bridge entrance to the palace.
Ms Dransart said: “This will be the final excavation of the site – there have been continual problems in funding such a long-running dig and we have simply run out of grants.
“But work will be continuing for years on researching more than 5,000 artefacts and articles uncovered over the last 16 years.
“Fetternear was quickly recognised as a site of international importance, and it has produced many fascinating finds.”
Earlier this month, £12million plans were revealed to preserve the palace site, stabilise the ruins of Fetternear House and create a visitor centre, alongside a community swimming pool and leisure centre.
Aberdeenshire Council is also being asked to give planning permission for a development of 77 houses on Fetternear Estate, with £5.5million from the sale of the houses funding the ambitious scheme to give the ancient site a new future.
Author: Alistair Beaton | Source: The Press and Journal [July 13, 2010]