Primary school pupils lay plague victims to rest four centuries after their deaths
Pupils at a school in Edinburgh yesterday held a memorial service to pay tribute to dozens of plague victims whose remains were discovered below their playground.
Youngsters from St Mary’s Primary School joined members of the city council for the memorial service for approximately 80 individuals who died in the 17th century – and their remains were reburied.
The skeletons, dating back almost 400 years, were discovered during an excavation of the school’s playground in April 2016 and identified by archaeologists.
They were victims of an outbreak of the bubonic plague in Leith in 1645, which killed more than 2000 people – halving the area’s population at the time.
Bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, usually resulting from the bite of an infected flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, which is also known as the rat flea.
In very rare circumstances, as in the septicemic plague, the disease can be transmitted by direct contact with infected tissue or exposure to the cough of another human.
The funeral for the plague victims was held in Rosebank Cemetery – about a mile from the site in which they were found.
The memorial stone for the plague victims reads: “In memory of the victims of the 1645 bubonic plague found in St Mary’s (Leith) Roman Catholic Primary School Leith Links. Reburied here in 2018.”
Mary Bainbridge, deputy head teacher of St Mary’s RC Leith, said: “This has been a wonderful experience for all of the pupils at St Mary’s Leith.
“When the discovery was made, the children were very excited to learn about this encounter with the past and older classes especially were interested to hear about the outbreak of the plague.
“Pupils had the chance to go on site and speak with the archaeologists, and now, they have been able to say their goodbyes.”
She added: “I think they are proud to have been able to contribute in this special way, from selecting and singing hymns to laying flowers.
“It has been a fantastic learnastated ing opportunity for our pupils in lots of different ways and it means the victims will never be forgotten.”
John Lawson, archaeologist at the city council, said: “Leith and the surrounding area has a rich archaeological history and the school excavation has been a fascinating project for everyone involved.
“Analysis of the remains has helped us to understand life in Leith at this time and shed light on the devastating bubonic plague which wiped out over half of the port’s population. These discoveries have helped us establish where this plague cemetery in Leith Links was, as until now its location had been lost, with only 19th century accounts hinting at its location in this area.”
Councillor Donald Wilson, culture and communities convener, said: “When these remains were unearthed in 2016, the discovery provided a fascinating insight into our archaeological understanding of Leith.
“The plague of 1645 dev- the local area. In many respects our funeral service today is not just a tribute to those who are reinterned today – it is a lasting memorial to everyone who perished in the plague of Leith in 1645.”
Mr Wilson added: “The stone which will mark the burial site will be a lasting and symbolic statement of the history of Leith and ensure that the impact of the plague is not forgotten.”
“It has been a fantastic learning opportunity for our pupils in lots of different ways and it means the victims will never be forgotten”
MARY BAINBRIDGE