Historic Govan: Archaeology and Development

Dalglish, C., Driscoll, S.T. , Maver, I., Shead, N.F. and Shearer, I. (2009) Historic Govan: Archaeology and Development. Series: The Scottish burgh survey. Historic Scotland: Edinburgh, UK. ISBN 9781902771625

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Abstract

This survey gives an accessible and broad-ranging synthesis of the history and archaeology of Govan, and aims to inform conservation guidance for future development. Govan Cover Situated on the south bank of the river Clyde, just to the west of Glasgow, Govan to most people is synonymous with shipbuilding and social deprivation. Govan is, however, a remarkable place, with a history stretching back to the fifth or sixth century AD when it was a seat of royal and religious power. The church of Govan Old stands upon one of the oldest Christian sites in western Scotland. A key factor in its history has been its location at a major river crossing, where the Kelvin joins the Clyde, and the book also considers the role of Partick on the opposite bank in the medieval period. Govan has enjoyed two periods of great importance – as a centre of royal power in the early historic period, with a major church at Govan Old, and as the centre of shipbuilding on the Clyde in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The importance of the site in the later first millennium is reflected in the renowned collection of carved stones at Govan Old. The authors consider the development of the settlement around Water Row and Govan Cross through the later medieval and post-medieval periods when it was a thriving craft centre, focused on handloom weaving. At the same time, local landowners and merchants began to establish country retreats in the surrounding area. The book explores in detail, with numerous maps and images, the huge physical transformation that Govan underwent in the nineteenth century, from a small village of artisans to the centre of the world-renowned Clyde shipbuilding industry. It also considers the impact of its designation as a Police Burgh in 1864, and its later merger with Glasgow in 1912. The industrialisation of Govan brought with it a range of social issues which are explored, including recent work to revitalise the post-industrial town.

Item Type:Books
Status:Published
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Shearer, Ms Ingrid and Shead, Mr Norman and Driscoll, Professor Stephen and Maver, Dr Irene and Dalglish, Dr Christopher
Authors: Dalglish, C., Driscoll, S.T., Maver, I., Shead, N.F., and Shearer, I.
Subjects:C Auxiliary Sciences of History > C Auxiliary sciences of history (General)
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
Publisher:Historic Scotland
ISBN:9781902771625
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