Archaeologists have found at least nine coffins beneath a school playground in Edinburgh

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

"Complex cemetery" containing adult and child burials could date from 600 years ago

Archaeologists say they have found the outlines of “at least nine” further coffins at an Edinburgh school playground where a skeleton surfaced during the Easter holidays as part of initial work to create new classroom buildings.

The building project has been postponed following the discovery of more human remains, believed to come from the 17th century or earlier, and the area containing the remains has been fenced off.

“These excavations have unearthed what appears to be a complex cemetery thought to date from the 15th to the 17th centuries, containing graves including adults and young children buried in coffins,” says John Lawson, the City of Edinburgh Council Archaeologist.

"The discoveries of these burials in this location, although always a possibility, is nevertheless a surprise

“Leith and the surrounding area has a rich archaeological history. Further excavations will reveal more evidence which will allow us to accurately date these burials and how they relate to the history of Leith.”

The school community has been “very interested” in the excavation, according to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Richard Lewis.

“The children have been eager to learn about the new discoveries,” he says. “As the excavation continues, we’ll find out more about the former inhabitants of Leith.

“The new information coming from the site is proving to be even more significant than previously thought.”

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Three places to see the archaeology of Scotland in

Cairnpapple Hill, West Lothian
One of the most important prehistoric monuments on the mainland of Scotland, Cairnpapple was used as a burial and ceremonial site from about 3000 to 1400 BC. Good views of east central Scotland may be had from the hill.

Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire
Each tower of this magnificent Scottish Baronial fortress is traditionally associated with one of the castle’s five successive families - Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Forbes-Leith. You can see their influences today among the medieval stones and the lavish Edwardian interiors, and imagine what castle life must have been like for the families and their royal guests - among them Robert the Bruce and Charles I.

Stewartry Museum, Dumfries
Thanks to years of collecting and to the hard work of local metal detectorists The Stewartry Museum holds an amazing collection of archaeology from the local area. See them in the permanent exhibition, Close Encounters with Tiny Treasures.

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art554924-edinburgh-school-playground-coffins-medieval-archaeology