1988 Glasgow Garden Festival Plant Tag
Published: 13 December 2024
College of Arts & Humanities archaeologists have had their findings at the site of the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival listed as one of Scotland’s top five archaeological discoveries of the year
College of Arts & Humanities archaeologists have had their findings at the site of the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival listed as one of Scotland’s top five archaeological discoveries of the year by Dig It!, Scotland’s archaeology hub.
The small fragment of a plant tag, inscribed with “RED CAMPION,” was uncovered during an excavation at the festival site on the south bank of the River Clyde in June this year. The Latin name for this plant was written on the other side of the same tag.
Garden Festivals were held across the UK in the 1980s and 1990s to stimulate investment and development in former industrial areas. With over 4 million visitors, the Glasgow version was a significant event in the modern rebirth of the city. However, there is no formal written history and almost no above-ground remains across the 120-acre site
The project, funded by the Glasgow City Heritage Trust and supported by Glasgow City Council, invited members of the public to share their memories, photographs, and memorabilia from the event.
The plant tag discovery was then confirmed by a photograph of the Festival site during construction in 1987.
Dr Kenny Brophy from the University of Glasgow, who led a team of archaeology colleagues and students during the dig at the festival site, said: “Contemporary archaeology is at the forefront of efforts from archaeologists to become more socially engaged and relevant, but it can also be used to excite, enthuse and inspire, as has been happening in Glasgow where there’s a huge amount of nostalgia for the Festival.”
Other discoveries highlighted by Dig It! this year include a prehistoric site in the Outer Hebrides, a Pictish spearbutt in Fife, and a 17th-century shipwreck in Orkney. The organisation, coordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, works to promote and support archaeology across Scotland.
Dr Simon Gilmour FSAScot, Director of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said: “Our Dig It! project has once again collated a remarkable list of discoveries made across Scotland thanks to the collaborative efforts of archaeologists, curators, students, volunteers and members of the public.
“I look forward to learning more from those involved, including Dr Brophy who’ll be delivering one of the Society’s free public lectures online and in Edinburgh in 2025.”
First published: 13 December 2024
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