Hand cleaning and recording of the archaeology in Areas 1 and 2 continued in September. In addition to the tenements in Area 1, the remains of Abbotsford Church on the corner of MacKinlay Street and Devon Street were uncovered. The foundations of church tower of Abbotsford Church were identified at approximately 3 metres below the modern ground level. The basement of the Mill Inn public house, located on the corner of Devon Street and Pollokshaws Road, was also uncovered and cleaned.
A system of early drains was found in and around the foundations of the cottages at Rosehill. These drains are contemporary with Rosehill, and the originals appear to have been replaced in the early 20th century.
Area 2, located between Rosehill and MacKinlay Street, was excavated during September. This area was found to comprise a sunken courtyard or alley way and the basements of tenements on the east side of MacKinlay Street. The area had been filled with modern demolition material, which was 3-4 metres in depth. The material filling the area appears to have come from different parts of the site, and a marble column was retrieved, which may have been from Alexander Thomson’s ‘Queen’s Park Terrace’, situated on Eglinton Street. Cobbled and early tarmac surfaces were uncovered at the base of the area. Some of the cobbling is more uneven and appears to be earlier.
The demolition material in Areas 1 and 2 contained many fragments of domestic porcelain, dating to the 19th and 20th centuries. Numerous personal items, such as combs, toys and toothbrushes were found, as well as some coins dating from the Regency and early Victorian periods. Interesting finds recovered during the excavation of Rosehill include a fine bone toothed spoon and a bone spatula, both thought to be used for silk weaving. These implements were recovered from the foundations of the northern cottage and may indicate that silk weaving was taking place there. A bone and wood domino was recovered from the material filling the bottom of one of the spiral staircases.
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