Remains of Aberdeen's last surviving World War Two prisoner of war camp have been found during work to reclaim the Ness and Tullos Hill landfill sites.

Previously unknown features of Tullos Hill Camp, which were thought to have been lost forever, have emerged from the soil in which they have been buried since the post-war period.

Aberdeen City Council's keeper of archaeology, Judith Stones, will give a free lunchtime talk next week about the history and exciting archaeological finds on Tullos Hill, including the camp remnants.

It has often been said that archaeology is 'the science of rubbish' and the current project to recap and restore the Tullos Hill and Ness farm landfill sites has brought archaeology and garbage together in a new and special way.

Despite landfill operations, between 1970 and 2001, Tullos Hill remains a fascinating archaeological landscape, bearing numerous historic features.

These include a group of Bronze Age burial cairns, the probable remains of prehistoric hut circles, and the more recent developments on the hill such as remains of the POW camp, which was known as Nigg Hostel, concrete hut bases from anti-aircraft battery dating from World War Two and consumption dykes used to "consume" the large amount of stones derived from the laying-out of new fields during 19th century agricultural improvements.


Judith said: "There is little doubt that landfill operations in earlier days destroyed parts of this wonderful historic landscape, but it is fantastic to see how much of it remains.

"Now we're taking care to ensure that no damage is done during the current works, and it's very exciting that some new discoveries are being made in the process.'

Lines of fences, trenches and drains are being sculpted where possible during the capping project, so that known archaeological features are avoided during the work, and an archaeologist is on hand to record new evidence that is revealed.

Judith will give the talk, entitled: "Archaeology, rubbish and new discoveries on Tullos Hill," at Aberdeen Maritime Museum from 12.30pm to 1pm on Wednesday [23 September]. A path that led to one of the camp huts.

Places are limited so booking is essential. To book, call 01224 337714.

The £15 million project to regenerate the historically contaminated landfill sites by cleaning up Aberdeen's waste legacy got underway in May.

The Ness Farm and Tullos Hill landfill sites are being restored to minimise the environmental harm they cause. The council aims to fully restore the land, providing a wildlife and recreational area for future generations. The work is being carried out to meet Sepa requirements.

Upgrades to some of the existing path network and the installation of information boards dealing with the archaeology, wildlife and recent history of the site are included in the programme of work.

For safety reasons, parts of the hill are closed to the public meantime.

(GK/BMcC)