ARCHAEOLOGISTS have shed light on Dunfermline’s medieval past by revealing some of the findings from their dig in the city’s Heritage Quarter.

The six-week dig started in late August on the site of what will be the city’s new £10.8million museum and art gallery.

It discovered a number of items, including a tile from a smokeless stove believed to be from the 16th century, preserved leather fragments and the foundations of what is believed to be a medieval building just north of the Abbey graveyard.

Douglas Speirs, archaeologist for Fife Council, said, “Due almost entirely to the hard work of the scores of volunteers, we have shed more light on Dunfermline’s medieval past than any previous excavation.

“The project is contributing a great deal to the history, identity and future economic potential of Dunfermline as a premier cultural destination and this dig is already being hailed as an exemplar approach in community archaeology.” A total of 83 volunteers took part in the community dig, helping to uncover finds from medieval Dunfermline.

Almost 500 people visited the site during the dig to find out about the project and nearly 100 children took part in specially organised events for young people.

Councillor Helen Law, chair of the City of Dunfermline area committee, said, “I think these are excellent and exciting discoveries that show what can be revealed when we excavate within an important burgh.

“The dig was a real community effort that created a lot of interest in what was going on and I’m thrilled that so many local people have already been involved in helping make the new museum and art gallery a reality.” Construction on the new museum and art gallery is due to start in the spring of 2014 and is expected to be completed in 2016.