Belt buckle solves riddle of man buried 700 years ago
Skeleton believed to be that of a young friar was discovered on the site of an archaeological dig in Stirling, writes Alison Campsie
Abelt buckle found on the remains of a young man who died more than 700 years ago have helped archaeologists solve the mystery over his identity.
The skeleton was found during the excavation in Stirling’s Goosecroft Road, the former site of a Dominican friary that operated for more than 300 years and enjoyed strong links with Europe.
Tests have suggested that the man may have lived in the area during some of the most turbulent events in Scottish history, including the battles of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn.
The friary became linked to the Wars of Independence after it offered refuge to Edward I.
Members of the public are known to have been buried at similar friary sites across Scotland but the belt buckle gave experts a significant lead as to his true identity.
A spokesman for GUARD Archaeology said: “The archaeological evidence suggests that this young man was a friar himself, which is usually quite difficult to demonstrate.
“However, as friars were buried in their habits, buckles found near the pelvis indicate those individuals being friars of orders such as the Dominicans, as their rule required them to wear a belt with a buckle, rather than a rope cincture worn by other orders such as the Franciscans.”
The bronze buckle held traces of textile which indicated it had been fastened against a piece of clothing. It also suggested the man was a friar rather than “simply a local individual,” the spokesman said.
He added: “Furthermore, his skeleton was radiocarbon dated to AD 1271 – 1320 so it is possible that this friar was a witness to some of the most significant events of the Scottish Wars of Independence during late 13th and early 14th centuries, not least the battles of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn.”
Research has show that the friary belonged to the Dominican Order – the Blackfriars – for more than 300 years from 1233 to the Scottish Reformation in 1559.
The remains of the friar were found carefully buried in a foundation trench of a wall with his crossed arms suggesting he had been firmly wrapped in a shroud.
A similar method of burial was found at the Carmelite friary in Linlithgow.
Otherfindsmadeatthesiteincluded pottery sherds from cooking vessels and jugs from across Britain and Continental Europe with a suggestion the friars enjoyed a relatively luxurious way of life at their Stirling home.
Bob Will, of GUARD Archaeology, who led the excavation, said: “The Blackfriars of Stirling had access to luxury table goods from around the North Sea, foodstuffs such as figs and raisins and wine.
“The friary as well as the burgh of Stirling was well positioned to receive imports, which may have been brought to land at Cambuskenneth Abbey which lies on the River Forth and was then navigable from the sea.”
Archeologistsbelievetheymayhave found the remains of a communal washing area or a kitchen at the site. Two small shards of window glass were also found.
“However, due to subsequent development of this area of Stirling, not least the robbing of stone from the friary after its dissolution, only part of the layout of the friary is known,” Mr Will added.
The Dominicans, also known as the Friars Preachers or Blackfriars, established their house on the outskirts 0 The belt buckle (top) found on the skeleton recovered from the site of the friary (right) where Edward I is known to have taken refuge. Pictures: Creative Commons/guard of Stirling after their charter being granted by Alexander II.
Following defeat at the battle of Falkirk in 1298, Wallace burned the town of Stirling but it would appear the friary survived the flames with Edward I seeking refuge here after being trampled by his horse.
Edward I is thought to have stayed there again in 1304 when he besieged Stirling Castle.
The Dominican lands, including two mills run by friars, were sold by the Erskine family in the late 17th Century to the city of Stirling with the site later used as a hospital.