Monument record 1679/0/3 - Late medieval pottery manufacturing site, North End

A small excavation was carried out in 1965 which revealed various stone features, intially interpreted as a kiln, and a large quantity of wasters dating to the late 15th century. Subsequent excavations ahead of development in 2002 identified a pottery kiln and associated features; the features identified in 1965 were re-interpreted as a pit for storing clay or a water cistern.

{1} Features tentatively dated by documentary evidence to mid C15th

{2}Remains of medieval pottery kiln were lying on top of earlier occupation debris; little survived but a large quantity of pottery was recovered from within flue of kiln

{4}Late medieval pottery kiln in Higham Ferrers excavated in 1960's; pottery kiln is mentioned in Higham Ferrers Court Rolls of 1436 & 1467 (believed to relate to this kiln as no evidence for other kilns in parish); was assumed that kiln was of C15th date but evidence from analysis of pottery from deserted medieval village at West Cotton has suggested that kiln was producing pottery from around 1300 thus indicating a working life of around 200 years; evidence from Raunds Area Project suggested that it is possible to differentiate on form between C14th & C15th products with production in C14th being concerned solely with jars & bowls whilst latter part of kilns life saw it being used mainly for firing of jugs; no. of sherds from site estimated by Hall as c.63000; kiln was originally thought to be a one-off but other kilns found in recent years producing wares in similar tradition; now seems likely that Higham kiln is part of a south-east midlands pottery tradition which is only just beginning to be recognised; spatial distribution of kilns suggest that they occur at roughly 20 mile intervals across region; this has implications for understanding of economic systems of region

{8}Probable C15th pottery kiln dated tentatively on documentary grounds; at north end of town at 60m above OD; remains of kiln discvoered lying on top of earlier occupation debris;,

{6}Pot sherds analysed from Higham Ferrers pottery kiln; thin sectioned & inclusions analysed; work carried out by David Hall

{9} In 2002 excavation took place ahead of development. A kiln consisting of an oval pit cut into the ironstone bedrock which contained the body of the kiln and was adjoined by two stoke pits. It was orientated north east - south west and measured 8.2m in length by up to 3.6m in width and 0.85m in depth. A pedestal for the stacking of pots lay in the central cut which was serviced by two flues orientated north east - south west and situated at opposing ends of the kiln. The entirety of the inside of the structure was lined with clay. Both the form of the structure and the large quantity of later medieval pottery recovered indicate its date.
Archaeomagnetic dates {11} indicate that the kiln was in operation between 1385 and 1435 and this is supported by the pottery finds.
The remains of two stone buildings constructed of limestone with rubble cores and sub-rectangular facing blocks. They were aligned roughly east-west. A stone wall of similar construction lay close by. This was orientated north east - south west. A number of rough stone spreads lay to the east of the buildings and these were also aligned north east - south west. A sondage cut into one of the buildings yielded an assemblage of late medieval pottery.
A number of postholes in the eastern part of the site enclosed rectangular areas which may have been internal divisions of a single structure. One of these areas contained an amorphous rubble surface which was probably associated with the structure. A number of possibly contemporary pits lay to the west. This structure was set at an approximate right angle to the kiln, suggesting that the two were contemporary.
The structure and rubble spread may be interpreted as drying sheds for pots awaiting firing.

{10} The kiln is a classic example of Musty's type 2c. The superstructure of the kiln may have been a 'rigid roof' to achieve the sufficient and consistent reduction during firing. Several large pieces of structural daub were found amoung the waster dump. The charcoal from the kiln was predominantly of twig materials from fruit trees. The results of the 1965 excavation, which took place adjacent to the 2002 excavation, were reconsidered. The circular stone shaft and slight gully (interpreted at the time as a stokehole) do not fit comfortably with any known late medeival kiln type and it may be that the circular feature was used for storing clay, possibly where clay bunging was carried out or a water cistern. Both were later used as convenient waster dumps.

<1> 1974, Journal of the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery (10), p.38+55-57 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN9217.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.189 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> HALL D.N., 1993, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49669.

<4> BLINKHORN P., 1993, Late Medieval reduced ware from the Higham Ferrers kiln, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN46008.

<5> 1998, NATIONAL DATABASE OF MEDIEVAL POTTERY PRODUCTION CENTRES, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN43668.

<9> Stansbie D., 2002, Chamberlains Factory, Higham Ferrers: Archaeological Excavation Report (Interim), p.4 (checked) (Interim Report). SNN102337.

<10> Hardy A.; Charles B.M.; Williams R.J., 2007, Death & Taxes: The Archaeology of A Middle Saxon Estate Centre at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN106006.

<11> Linford, P, 2002, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire: Archaeomagnetic dating report (Report). SNN111423.

Record last edited

Mar 13 2024 12:33PM