Aberdeen City HER - NJ90SW0943 - VIEWBANK

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ90SW0943
NameVIEWBANK
NRHE Card No.NJ90SW252
NRHE Numlink 236989
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Complete 2
Details Walkover survey, standing building survey and excavation was carried out by ACC Archaeological Unit in April - May 2008 ahead of proposed development. The work confirmed that the tower in the grounds of the 19th century house were part of the original post-medieval Viewbank House (NJ90SW0033). A stone dated 1692 and 1633 built into the side of the tower was a later addition and may not originally have been associated with the property. A bunker in the garden was recorded prior to demolition; it appears to have been a World War II air-raid shelter with an elaborate granite facade. It measured 8.9m by 7.1m, set into the earth bank in front of the house, with entrances on each side of low granite walls in the south elevation. At the southeast corner is a cast-iron drainpipe and hopper, which is quite ornate and appears to be of pre-World War II date. Internally corridors (2m high) from the entrances lead to two chambers on the north side of the structure, with roof and walls of shuttered concrete, and several hooks in the roof of the western chamber. There was also evidence of shelves on the walls of the chambers. Electric power was supplied to the bunker, with surviving fuse box, bakelite switches and conduit on the walls. The extensive use of granite suggests a pre-war function with possible wartime alterations possibly for use as an emergency air-raid shelter although the lack of ventilation may argue against this. Field evaluation of the remaining land recorded no features of archaeological significance.
Last Update09/04/2019
Updated Bycpalmer
CompilerACU
Date of Compilation13/09/2017

Google Map for NJ90SW0943

National Grid Reference: NJ 9082 0372



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
2008 Building Recording aberdeen3-50363
2008 Excavation aberdeen3-50363
2008 Field Survey

Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
DATESTONES  B100
BUNKERSWORLD WAR II C100
SHELTERSAIR-RAID D75
TOWERS  A100