Monument record 112/2/1 - Medieval pottery production and iron working area (Site J), Lyveden

Medieval pottery production and iron working area dating to the 13th-14th century, was excavated at Lyveden deserted medieval settlement in 1972-73. The area was situated within two tofts. Each toft was one third of an acre in area. The eastern toft contained a rectangular stone-built potter's workshop measuring 11 metres by 4 metres. Stone-lined pits were identified outside the building. The western croft contained a Musty type 4a pottery kiln which produced a range of cooking pots, bowls and jugs. A waster tip, well and quarry pits were also present. There was also an area of possible iron working or smithing.

{1} Further excavations at the deserted medieval village and industrial site of Lyveden during August 1972. An area, 72ft N-S and 138ft E-W (Site J) was cleared. The internal architecture of the kiln was entirely built of tiles, many with two holes indicating that they were simply reused roof tiles. All ten arches, resting on a single central spine wall which ran up the centre of the kiln, were recovered intact. The products of the kiln were large m,ernally green glazed bowls or panchions, green glazed crested ridge tiles, glazed plain floor tiles, plain roof tiles.
Running N-S in the W half of area J was a rectangular peasant long house bounded on the W side by a large paved and cobbled yard and on the E by a rectangular barn which approached it at right angles. To the N of the long house was a circular oven. The yard spread between the long house and the next toft to the west which was bounded by a series of buildings and features indicating an industrial use. These included from S to N a large rectangular stone-lined floor of a clay pit; to the north, and possibly enclosing it, were the fragmentary remains of a building, which contained a hearth. To the north was a rectangular extension and to the north again a well or stone-lined cistern.


{3}Trial excavation revealed stokehole of large tile kiln previously excavated; limestone found in-situ

<1> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1973, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1972, p.21-2 (checked) (Journal). SNN8956.

<2> 1973, DOE Archaeological Excavations (Various Years), p.98-99 (checked) (Series). SNN45978.

<3> Jackson D.A., 1990, Fina Pipeline Project 1990: Archive Report, (part checked) (Report). SNN1567.

<4> 1975, Journal of The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery (12), p. 17-44 (Journal). SNN55660.

<5> McCarthy, M R, Brooks, C M, 1988, Medieval Pottery in Britain AD 900-1600, p. 288-89, 431 (Book). SNN76510.

Record last edited

Jun 26 2024 11:20AM