The last annual archaeological excavation of a mediaeval Bishop’s Palace site in Aberdeenshire has ended on a high note after 16 years.
A finale to one of the longest-running digs in Scotland has been the discovery of the bishop’s private chapel at Fetternear, Kemnay, where teams have painstakingly unearthed long-forgotten palace remains.
Today the excavation team will be completing work by carefully removing a large section of timber, complete with an early mortise joint cut into it, uncovered during the final days’ digging.
Work started beside the ruins of Fetternear House in 1995 when the late Nicholas Bogdan from Barra, near Oldmeldrum, and University of Wales Lampeter archaeologist Penny Dransart uncovered traces of the 13th and 14th century palace of the bishops of Aberdeen.
Project leader Ms Dransart said: “There had been indications an area of the site could have been the private chapel of the bishop, and we appear to have confirmed that during this month’s final dig.
“A few years ago we uncovered a very fine carved bone figure there, and now we have found pieces of glass from what were clearly lancet windows. Glass would have been very rarely used at that period outside a religious site, and the rectangular layout of the building – and its east-west axis – matches similar ancient chapels found elsewhere.
“It is an another exciting find from Fetternear, which has proved a fascinating excavation. We have done as much as we can now, and the site will probably be infilled to preserve it for the future.”
Previous digs have uncovered everything from the kitchen area to remains of a bridge across a moat at the entrance to the palace.
Over the years, more than 5,000 artefacts have been found at Fetternear and cataloguing and conservation of articles for a final report will continue for several years. The extent of the palace and items found have made the north-east archaeological project one of international importance.
Tonight members of the last summer excavation team and dig volunteers from down the years will hold a farewell to Fetternear celebration.