ARCHEOLOGISTS have discovered a lost district in the centre of Edinburgh, believed to be the city’s first example of classic Georgian architecture.

The team, examining the Cowgate site destroyed by fire last December, believe they have unearthed remnants from Adam Square, the prototype design which led to the development of New Town.

Although the square was referred to in 18th-century maps, planners had, until now, been unable to pinpoint its precise location because it was destroyed by the development of Chambers Street.

Probing beneath layers of later architecture, the team discovered a corner of the square in a small area of the site.

“Although we have only been working on keyhole sections, we have discovered 10 pieces of masonry with distinctive 18th-century tool marks underneath Chambers Street,” said David Connolly, an archaeologist contracted by Edinburgh council to carry out the first analysis.

“Matching them with a 1779 map by the surveyor Lizar, we can say they are undoubtedly a corner of Adam Square.”

Connolly, whose findings will be incorporated into a report by Edinburgh city archeologist John Lawson next month, said their initial findings suggest that the nine owners of the site should be asked to fund a full dig, bringing the total costs of the works to as much as £750,000.

Rob Maxtone Graham, a historical researcher who is writing a report on life in the area from the 16th century, said the findings bring to light a fascinating district.

“It was the posh suburb of its day, but a place where lawyers and lords lived above local crofters. French coins that we have found show that European money was in common use at the time.”

The square was designed by John Adam, brother of Robert who was responsible for much of the subsequent New Town architecture. Both had been greatly influenced by a “grand tour” around Europe, where they were impressed by ancient Greek and Roman architecture.

Built in the 1760s, Adam Square was the first leafy square demonstrating this Palladian influence. Although it was destroyed by the development of Chambers Street a century later, it created a following for the family. Thirty years later, Robert Adam’s designs for the unified, classic architecture of Charlotte Square, in New Town, created new standards for urban design.

The archeological team has also discovered remnants of ancient closes and Britain’s first examples of toll roads, from as early as 1527. Tenants would have had to pay an annual charge to the land owner for use of the road to get to their homes behind.

The team has also found other remnants, including a balcony from an 1824 tenement on the site of the Gilded Balloon, which they believe should be preserved in future.

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