Archaeological dig opens up secrets of Paisley Abbey drain

Sep 11 2010 by Cameron Hay, Paisley Daily Express

Archaeological dig opens up secrets of Paisley Abbey drain

TREASURE hunters are aiming to get to the bottom of the mysteries of Paisley’s medieval past – by staging an archaeological dig at the town’s most famous landmark.

The 12-day dig is under way at Paisley Abbey as experts hope to find out more about its historic drain and the layout of the church itself.

Funded by Renfrewshire Council, a team of archaeologists from Glasgow University have joined forces with a group of volunteers from Renfrewshire Local History Forum and youngsters from the Kibble education and care centre in Paisley to tackle the project.

The big dig is also part of Renfrewshire’s Doors Open Day programme this weekend, which offers Buddies free access to more than 60 historical sites and buildings in the Paisley area.

Andrew Eadie, treasurer of the Renfrewshire Local History Forum, said he would be thrilled if the dig uncovers some of Paisley’s medieval gems.

He told the Paisley Daily Express: “There is a wealth of history waiting to be discovered right under our feet.

“Hopefully, we’ll find the external structure of the drain, which will be the first time it has been seen since it was built.

“Finding out more about the drain will help our understanding of monastic archaeology. The artefacts, food and medicine traces and construction methods previously uncovered have already added to our knowledge of the period.”

Unique to Britain, the abbey’s drain was built by master craftsmen sometime in the 14th century and is up to two metres high in parts.

In 1990, the drain was rediscovered and an initial excavation found several hundreds of fragments of pottery, along with a complete chamber pot, which is now on display in the abbey sacristy.

Other artefacts found at that time included inscribed slates, gaming pieces and the remains of more than 140 plants, many of which were used for food or medicine.

Bob Will, an archaeology project manager at Glasgow University Archaeology Research Division (GUARD), said: “What we have been trying to do over the last few years is build on what we know already and build a bigger picture of how Paisley developed and expanded.

“Long term, though, we are looking at options to make the drains more accessible to the public and also an attraction for tourists coming to Paisley, although that is some way off.”

Councillor Iain Nicolson, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Planning and Economic Development Policy Board, has welcomed the new dig and said he is encouraged that the abbey drain archaeological excavation is still attracting attention.

He added: “There has been a concerted programme involving volunteers and specialists to uncover the insights into the area’s archaeology, engineering, church history and urban development.

“The dig and the subsequent analysis of the results of the excavation has captured people’s imagination.

“I’m delighted that the Abbey Drain project is again such a key part of Renfrewshire’s Doors Open Day programme.”

l For full details of the Renfrewshire Doors Open Day events taking place today and tomorrow, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events