Excavation work has started at the Mackintosh Library at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA).

A specialist team will be responsible for recovering the remains of the library which was left damaged following a fire earlier this year.

The work is part of the GSA's documentation of the historic building following the blaze and will also help to inform the restoration process.

Alison Stevenson, Head of Libraries, Archives and Collections at the GSA, said: "Immediately after the fire, with support from Historic Scotland, the GSA was able to remove substantial amounts of material from the Mackintosh Building. We have recently begun sifting this for items which could be restored or conserved and added to our Archives and Collections.

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"We are also turning to what is at once the most complex and potentially most revealing project in terms of conservation. Although the library was destroyed in the fire there are significant remains which we hope will retain artefacts or fragments that will prove invaluable both in terms of our archival records and our restoration plans."

The project is being led by Gordon Ewart, Director of Kirkdale Archaeology, The firm recently carried out excavations at Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and Linlithgow Palace. It is expected the work at GSA will take several weeks to complete.

Mr Ewart said: "Over the next few weeks we will work through the remains of the library excavating layer by layer though the ash checking carefully for any artefacts that have survived the fire or fragments that can be conserved.

"Throughout the process we will keep a archaeological record which will remain as a detailed document of where salvageable material was found and we hope will help inform the GSA's restoration programme."

Ranald McInnes, Head of Heritage Management at Historic Scotland, commented: "Historic Scotland is pleased that the GSA committed to undertake this detailed forensic survey. This investigation of The Library will be invaluable both to the current restoration plan and for future generations studying the Mackintosh Building."

(JP/MH)