Monument record 4403/0/1 - Possible Romano-British Kiln

Possible Roman pottery kilns and a settlement were found during quarry working in Ironstone mines within the parish in the 1920s.

{1} A possible Romano-British kiln, location unknown. Reference to an 'oven' 2ft in diameter and 18in deep. Found near Scaldwell ironstone quarries.

{2} Possibly a kiln.

{3} Found in the side of a cutting by Mr. H. George, an agricultural labourer of Scaldwell. When excavated, a 'dark patch' revealed a stone lined cavity 2ft by 18ins high lined with fire reddened stones. There was ash at the bottom. On Staverley Hill Ironstone Co's quarry, scores of similar features have been seen by workmen. A number of other features have been found by the curator of Northampton Museum, adjacent to the first. A samll Romano-British 'round bellied jar' with wavy decoration around the rim was found nearby, along with other similar 2nd century AD sherds.
[The description of the kiln structure is probably merely made by reference to the kilns at Castor.]

{5} Roman Settlement and Kilns (unlocated). Several finds of Roman material are recorded from ironstone mines in the 1920s. The exact locations are not known but were in the S.W. of the parish where quarrying was taking place at that time. One kiln was certainly identified and 'scores of others' are said to have been found, as well as sherds, including some of 2nd-century date, and a small round-bellied jar with a wavy decoration round the neck. From the
inadequate record it appears that there was quite a considerable pottery industry in the parish.

{8} Cross referencing information from RCHM volume, Tonks and Northampton Museum journal, has located the kiln east of the tramway in the area being worked just prior to the General Strike of 1926, approx SP764 717.

{10} Quarrying to the west of Scaldwell extends 3-4 miles N-S and 1-2 miles E-W.

<1> 1926, THE JOURNAL OF ROMAN STUDIES, 16/223 (R G Collingwood, M V Taylor) (Journal). SNN28415.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP77SE5 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> 1926, NORTHAMPTON INDEPENDENT, 4/9/1926 (Journal). SNN28417.

<4> Woods PJ, 1970, Brixworth Excavations: Vol. 1. The Romano-British Villa, 1965-70. (Part 1- The Roman Coarse Pottery and Decprated Samian Ware), p.97-99 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN28436.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.169/Site 1 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77381.

<6> 1927, The Journal of Roman Studies, 17/201 (Journal). SNN28420.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP77SE6 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<8> Cadman, G., 2005, Scaldwell: Early/mid 20th Century Ironstone Quarrying and Archaeology - a Desktop Note, (unchecked) (Note). SNN107113.

<9> Tonks E., 1989, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Northampton Area, pp.187, 196 (unchecked) (Book). SNN47272.

<10> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 20-MAR-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Feb 14 2023 12:07PM