Yesterday the BBC reported that the grave of a medieval knight was unearthed in Scotland at the University of Edinburgh. Construction workers stumbled upon the grave, which dates back to the 13th century, after demolishing a parking garage on campus. Archaeologists called to the scene noted ornate carvings on the lid of the sandstone tomb of a sword and Calvary Cross signifying that the occupant was a knight or nobleman.
Construction workers cleared the parking garage to make room for a new complex, the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, dedicated to green technology such as harvesting rainwater. However construction was halted in light of the discovery.
The archaeologist who first studied the grave, Ross Murray, is an Edinburgh alumni. He recalled that the school's surrounding area is known to have been host to the 18th Century Old High School, the 16th Century Royal High School and the 13th Century Blackfriars Monastery. The grave also pinpointed the location of the Blackfriars Monastery. The monastery stood from 1230 when it was built by king Alexander II until 1558 when it was destroyed in the Protestant Reformation.
“I never imagined I would be back here to make such an incredible discovery," said Ross.
Richard Lewis, council culture convener for the City of Edinburgh also displayed enthusiasm about the find. "This find has the potential to be one of the most significant and exciting archaeological discoveries in the city for many years, providing us with yet more clues as to what life was like in Medieval Edinburgh,” he said.
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