Search for 'lost' hamlet of Edinburgh underneath city park

People at work unearthing the lost hamlet under Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park | supplied

Archaeologists are working to unearth a lost Edinburgh settlement which thrived around 400 years ago but has long vanished from the landscape.

Broken Briggs was a once-bustling hamlet that stood in what is now Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park, near the Lasswade Road end of “The Dip”.

It is said to date back to the 1640s and featured farm steadings and old mills built around the burn.

The hamlet became derelict when Lasswade Road was build and eventually disappeared from view.

As part of Archaeology Month, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, in partnership with the Edinburgh Archaeology Field Society, have been encouraging members of the local community to join them over the past week to help unearth the lost hamlet.

There’s still the opportunity to do so, on Saturday between 10am and 3pm.

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A member of the Edinburgh Archaeology Field Society said: “The society are enjoying unfolding the story of Broken Briggs. We have been searching for the remnants of the early settlement but also hearing the stories of local people who remember playing and working in the area.”

Charlie Cumming, chief executive of Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, said: “We are delighted to see work start on unearthing the Broken Briggs settlement as part of the restoration of this vital burn that passes through Edinburgh.

“Thanks to our partners SEPA, the city council, the Edinburgh Archaeology Field Society and the Friends of Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park.

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“The site investigation provides an opportunity for the local community learn more about the natural heritage of the burn. Everyone deserves access to natural heritage and it’s important to have high quality green and blue spaces that people of all ages can enjoy. We look forward to sharing what we discover with the local community.”

City culture convener Cllr Margaret Graham said: “It’s fantastic to see work getting underway to unearth the ‘Broken Briggs’ settlement as part of the restoration of the burn.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this vital work, which will bring benefits for the environment, wildlife and local residents. The project will also create opportunities to make the area more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

“It’s particularly exciting that people can get involved in the excavation as part of Archaeology Month. I’d encourage anyone who is able to come along, learn more about this fascinating piece of local history and play a part in uncovering the past.”

And a member of the Friends of Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park said volunteers were delighted to see the archaeology dig in the park.

“There is a long history of habitation along the burn, with old mills, farm steadings and small hamlets. It will be interesting to see what the team find on the site at Broken Briggs.”