History rises from the ashes THOUSANDS of everyday items from
the 15th century homes of bishops, lords and ladies have been
uncovered in a four-metre deep seam of archaeological remains
discovered beneath the Cowgate. Fragments of medieval pottery
and leather and wood, thought to be the remains of shoes and
kitchen barrels, are among the artifacts uncovered during a
five-year excavation which has proved to be one of the most
significant in the UK in decades. Experts say the discoveries on
three sites in the Cowgate have put Edinburgh on a par with York
and London in archaeological terms. It will take up to three
years for experts to analyse all the fragments that have been
dug up. Most of the items uncovered are expected to go on show
in Edinburgh museums. The devastation caused by the Cowgate fire
of December 2002 gave archaeologists a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to dig at perhaps the most significant of the three
sites. Archaeologist John Lawson said: "It was a disaster at the
time. But it gave us a fant