Micromorphological evidence for the use of urban waste as a soil fertiliser in and near to historic Scottish towns

This paper presents micromorphological evidence for the addition of urban waste to soils in and near to three historic Scottish towns; Lauder, Pittenweem and Wigtown. Waste deposited within historic town cores included human and animal excreta, kitchen refuse, building materials, industrial wastes and fuel residues. Similar types of waste are also evident in nearby agricultural land. Mechanisms of waste disposal are likely to have included direct application and midden spreading within town cores and dunghill redistribution to the hinterland. It is proposed that urban waste was deliberately used as a fertiliser to enhance soil quality within and near to historic Scottish towns, thus increasing agricultural sustainability.