By Jon Rogers
A LARGE stone ball dating from the 13th century which was used during a siege of
Edinburgh Castle has been discovered by archaeologists.
The large carved stone looks like a cannon ball but has been dated to the 13th century,
more than 200 years before the introduction of gunpowder or cannons in Scotland.
It was found during excavations at the Grassmarket in Edinburgh as archaeologists from
AOC Archaeology continue to investigate the site, which has been earmarked for
Europe's first Virgin Hotel.
It is thought the ball was launched from a large wooden catapult known as a trebuchet,
either from or towards the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle during the Siege of Edinburgh in
1296.
The three-day siege, also known as The Longshanks Siege, saw the English king Edward
I capture Edinburgh Castle and then install a garrison of 350 knights to defend it.
The castle would remain in English hands for 18 years, using it as a base to plunder
treasure from across Scotland including the Stone of Destiny from Scone Abbey.
Edinburgh Castle was recaptured in 1314 by the Scottish after Thomas Randolph, the
First Earl of Moray led a surprise attack with a small band of 20 men to retake the
stronghold.
The archaeology work is entirely funded by India Buildings Ltd, which is developing the
site, and managed by CgMs Heritage.
Richard Conolly, of CgMs, said: "As archaeologists, most of our work deals with the
remnants of day-to-day life. So, it is really exciting for the team to find something that
potentially provides a direct link to an historic event and specific date.
"The siege only lasted three days – we don't often get that kind of precision in our dating.
It is also a reminder that it was not just the castle that was involved in the siege; the
surrounding town must also have taken a battering."
Over the centuries around 23 different siege attempts were made on Edinburgh Castle
and experts have been intrigued by the latest discovery.
City of Edinburgh Council archaeologist John Lawson said: "It looks like the type of ball
which would have been fired by a trebuchet, one of the most powerful catapults used in
the Middle Ages.

"Worldwide, the most famous account of a trebuchet is that of Warwolf, the giant
catapult used by Edward I's army at Stirling Castle in 1304.
"What we've discovered here suggests similar weapons were also used in Edinburgh,
possibly even during Edward I's Siege of Edinburgh in 1296, when the Stone of Destiny
was stolen and the castle taken out of Scottish hands.
"We always knew this area of the Grassmarket could shed new light on Edinburgh in the
dark ages, and here we are with the discovery of a medieval weapon. It's a really exciting
find, particularly if we can prove its links to the Siege of Edinburgh."
Archaeologists began digging in the Grassmarket area in May and work is expected to
continue into the new year.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8080868/edinburgh-castle-siege-stone-ball-catapult-
found/