Since the completion of the excavations in June 1999, SUAT has been busy working on a variety of other archaeological projects across Scotland, including an excavation at the site of the new Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and the subsequent post-excavation analyses. Two important excavations were also carried out by SUAT in Perth during 1999, at the former Pullars buildings, now converted into the new headquarters of Perth & Kinross Council, and at Perth's South Inch, the site of a 17th-century Cromwellian fort. Various post-excavation analyses have been carried out, however, on the results from the Caerlaverock Old Castle investigations, and analysis is continuing.

Firstly, the finds from the Old Castle site have undergone conservation treatment where necessary, allowing detailed study by specialists to begin. The single coin from the excavation has been identified as a cut halfpenny of William the Lion (1165-1214). The corroded condition of this coin left almost no detail visible, but an x-ray image revealed that it had been cut from a Scottish short cross penny. The loss of this coin can be assigned to the period 1210-1250. We have also received the results of the archaeomagnetic dating work carried out during the investigation. Although the samples from the oven or kiln did not produce a date, those taken from the two hearths within the hall area of the site yielded date ranges of 1250-1275 AD and a probable 1250-1310 AD. Other analyses that have been carried out are a study of the morphological characteristics of the metalworking debris from the site, an analysis of the small amount of animal bone recovered, and petrological identifications of the stone artefacts. Analyses of the other artefacts, and of the large pottery assemblage from the site, are currently underway.

Part of the siege re-enactment in July 2000

Caerlaverock Castle was of course the setting for a famous siege in the year 1300, and this year, Historic Scotland have marked the 700th anniversary of the siege in style. A new exhibition has been opened at the site, telling the story of the siege, and, over a weekend in July, a re-enactment of the seige took place, involving a large number of re-enactors from all over the UK. A medieval market was also set up. Local schools made banners to mark the 700th anniversary of the seige, and, in May, parties of local schoolchildren attended a series of activity days at the castle and were given guided tours of both the castle and the Old Castle site, as well as getting a chance to handle and investigate some medieval finds.

Youngsters investigating medieval artefacts in May 2000

Also during this year, consolidation work has continued on the Old Castle site. As part of this work, the remainining sandstone walls of the castle, exposed by the excavations, are being re-pointed, and the lines of the walls are being marked out where they no longer survived. A new temporary information panel about the Old Castle and the excavation work has been set up by Historic Scotland adjacent to the site.

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The new information panel at the Old Castle site

• 4th July 1999
• 27th June 1999
• 21st June 1999
• 15th June 1999
• 13th June 1999
• 8th September 1998
• 27th August 1998
• 16th August 1998
• 7th August 1998
• 29th July 1998
• 19th July 1998
• 9th July 1998