Fetternear Find

Mediaeval Palisade Unearthed

A rare timber palisade - a defence barrier or fortification - has been unearthed in the north-east, giving archaeologists an insight into the defences used prior to the 1300s.

The wooden structure was uncovered during an excavation at the Bishops Palace at Fetternear Estate, near Kemnay, this week.

Archaeologists have been carrying out painstaking work at the grounds every summer for the last 12 years.

But organiser Penny Dransart, of the University of Wales, who comes originally from Inverurie, said this was by far the most exciting and interesting discovery. Speaking at the site yesterday she explained that the find would help increase their knowledge about the defence systems in place at the palace before the 1300s.

And for the wood to be is such good condition, she described it as a "wonderful chance survival". She added:

"To get timber evidence is incredibly rare. For archaeologists this is far more interesting than finding pots of gold. It increases our understanding of the period which is so important in the history of Scotland. It may seem like an out of the way place but it played a key role in the late 1200s and early 1300s."

The dig, which ends this weekend when the site will have to be refilled, was the second phase of a two-year project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to investigate a new area of the extensive mediaeval site.

More than 20 volunteers from the local area and further afield have been taking part in the dig every day for the last month.

The palisade will be examined by experts and it is hoped that one day it will be placed in a museum in the north-east.

--originally published in the P&J