Centuries-old wooden water pipes have been discovered during a dig in Edinburgh.

The 260-year-old pipes were found during excavation work at George Square, where a new underground heating system is being built by the University of Edinburgh for its new student centre.

They were part of an underground network of pipes to supply drinking water which was built in 1756. It ran from the Comiston area of the Capital to the Royal Mile.

Lindsay Dunbar, Fieldwork Project Manager for AOC Archaeology Group, said: "To uncover these water pipes preserved in situ beneath the cobbles was just incredible. Whilst the use of such wooden pipes is well-documented and preserved examples exist within museums and collections, to find the pipes in situ is much rarer.

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"These are first examples we have ever excavated in more than 25 years as a commercial field unit. The level of preservation was very good and allowed important details relating to fittings, construction, size, joining techniques to be recorded prior to their removal."

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, City of Edinburgh Council, added: "This is quite a significant discovery and the first time archaeologists have unearthed the city's original plumbing system for a long time.

“Similar pipes were discovered in 1894 in West Register Street. Made from hollowed out elm they date from the 17th to 18th centuries and were used to supply water to Edinburgh's Old Town from springs like those out at Comiston. In fact, we have two sections of it on display at our free to visit Museum of Edinburgh in the Canongate. It's pretty fascinating."

(CM/MH)