The Anglian monastery and medieval priory of Coldingham: Urbs Coludi revisited (original) (raw)

An excavation was undertaken in the north of Abbey Yards Field, adjacent to Coldingham Priory, the Scottish Borders. Three ditches crossed the area on the same alignment and one was wood-lined. Radiocarbon dating indicated that this boundary had been created in the 7th or early 8th century AD. Several patches of midden were preserved within adjacent hollows in the subsoil. Finds were scarce but a similarly dated fragment of antler comb and an assemblage of pre-medieval animal bone were recoveredfrom the fills and midden. Bede referred to an Urbs Coludi as the location of a monastery and nunnery presided over by St AEbbe in the mid-7th century. The location of this foundation has been identified as Kirk Hill, situated on the coast to the north of Coldingham. The evidence is reviewed and it is concluded that Coldingham is as likely a location for the ecclesiastical site, with Kirk Hill a contemporary secular fort. There may have been some form of continuing settlement at the site, as ...