Monument record 2564/1/1 - Two Romano-British Pottery Kilns

Site of Romano British pottery kilns found AD 1903

{1} Features found during ironstone quarrying in 1902. A brick-lined pottery kiln, now in Northampton Museum, and in 1903 a second kiln with associated kiln fragments and a Roman colour-coated bowl were found.

{5} The kiln was 4ft in diameter (photos of the kiln in situ).

{7} On Sat. Aug. 2, men working in ironstone pits on the right hand side of the road from Corby to Weldon near to Corby, found the remains of an RB kiln. It was at first thought to be a BA crematorium as the discovery was made within a few hundred yards of a spot on the opposite side of the road where some BA urns were found in 1890 (Northants 17 NE 6). Messrs. J. ROOKE and T.J. GEORGE removed the kiln to the Large Hall at Abington Abbey. The upper part of the kiln was only a few inches below the ground surface. It had been a clay lined hole, four feet in diameter, with a ridge to support the floor. The opening to the kiln was formed of bricks moulded for the purpose. Kilns of similar type have been found at Castor {3}.
A second kiln and a bowl of Castor ware {4} was found in Dec. 1903 a hundred yards distant from the first {6} the bowl is in Northampton Museum. Acc. No. 279, Dryden.

{8} On a photograph of the kiln in Mr. Seaborne's possession, is a MS. note by a Mr. J. STREATHER, now dead, who was closely connected with the removal and restoration of the kiln. It states it was
found on the south side of the Weldon Road, "in the field where the rail road runs through the centre of the field", about 120 yards from the road. Fragments of other kilns were found.

[9} [Area Cent. SP 90608902] Area of 1901 - 5 ironstone workings. (3)

{10} The exact site of the kiln(s) was not established; the area indicated by authority {9} confirms the siting information given by authorities {7} and {8}. The restored kiln (not seen) is exhibited in Northampton Museum.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.24 site 16 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP98NW7 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> 1902, Journal of The Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club, p.263 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN34080.

<4> Northampton Museum Records, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<5> 1903, The British Clayworker, p.102+3 (checked) (Series). SNN45368.

<6> George T.J., 1904, An Archaeological Survey of Northamptonshire, p.12 (unchecked) (Index). SNN10170.

<7> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WCW 7-JUN-60 (Note). SNN113151.

<8> ORAL REPORT, Oral Mr. M. Seaborne, (Hon. Corr.) Corby (Oral Report). SNN53287.

<9> Survey Dept, Stewarts and Lloyd's Minerals Ltd, Brigstock, Various date, Map of workings (Map). SNN113156.

<10> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F2 WCW 13-JUN-60 (Note). SNN113151.

Record last edited

Apr 21 2022 2:38PM