Roxburgh, Kelso

In June 2003 an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Channel 4’s Time Team at the site of the medieval burgh of Roxburgh, Scottish Borders, centred on grid reference NT 720 340. Time Team’s project design suggested that Roxburgh is the only complete deserted medieval town in Europe. It is a site of considerable importance and a Scheduled Monument (No. 4282). The evaluation comprised a geophysical survey and six trial trenches located across the site, totalling no more than 250 square metres. The archaeological evaluation was successful in achieving the aims and objectives of the project. The geophysical survey indicated that ploughing had disturbed the southern areas of the burgh. The ploughing had masked geophysical responses from underlying archaeological features, except for the likely positions of former streets and the defensive ditch to the east of the burgh. The geophysical survey indicated significantly less disturbed archaeological deposits in the west and north of the burgh, including possible structures and buildings.