In November 2013, two mass graves were discovered during construction work at Durham University’s Palace Green Library, on the City’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. This discovery generated an extensive period of analysis led by experts in our world-leading Department of Archaeology. This analysis concluded that the remains were indeed those of the Scottish soldiers from the Battle of Dunbar; a finding that helped solve the near 400 year mystery of their last resting place. Since then, the Project Team have delved further into the history of these soldiers; their lives both on and off the battlefield, and what became of those who survived imprisonment to make new lives in far distant lands.

This session will focus on the people and places at the heart of this project. Dr Arran Johnston, Director of the Scottish Battlefields Trust will be giving an overview of the Battle of Dunbar itself, the legacy of the battle-site and how the Trust are preserving its memory. Professor Chris Gerrard, project lead from our Department of Archaeology will also be shedding light on some of the fascinating stories from those who fought, survived and went on to lead full lives in distant lands, and how descendants today are shaped by their Scottish identities.