700-year-old abandoned village found

A rare find in the Scottish countryside, after the chance discovery of a 200 year old map:

. . . the long-lost settlement of Whittingehame, which dated from the seventh century, but was abandoned nearly 300 years ago.

Investigations quickly identified the site of old buildings, including the pub, blacksmiths and school, while a host of relics were brought to the surface by a farmer’s plough.

Archeologists today said they were "very excited" by the discovery because it was so rare for old villages which have been abandoned to be left undeveloped.

Posted by David on July 5, 2003 1:03 PM