Monument record 1223/2/8 - Medieval pottery kiln, High Street

Trial trench evaluation on the High Street found a medieval kiln which was working during the early to mid 14th century. A subsequent watching brief identified an adjacent dump of of waste pottery, probably part of a larger pit. Most of the pottery dates to the late 14th to 15th century. Other medieval features excavated included a pit and ditches.

{1} A pottery kiln was identified in Trial pit 5. The kiln was not fully excavated and the plan was not fully exposed. The kiln appears to have a oval plan with internal dimensions of 1.10m x 1.65m. The walls of the structure were comprised of medium to large burnt llimestone pieces with an inner lining of dark reddish brown clay. Large quantities of 14th century pottery filled the kiln. Much of this were wasters. It is thought that there was possibly a much larger quantity of pottery yet to be recovered. A single pit partially exposed. It had gently sloping sides and an exposed diameter of 700mm by 300mm deep.

{2} Medieval pottery kiln, part of the Potterspury pottery industry was identified during an evaluation on land adjacent to 47-52 High Street, Potterspury in 1998. The kiln was not excavated but pottery wasters recovered included early-mid 14th century jugs, pans, jars and cisterns. Other medieval features excavated included a pit and ditches.

{3} The watching brief confirmed that the kiln was not disturbed during development of the site. However, close to the site of the kiln a waster pit was identified. Although no cut was visible one deposit contained such a significant amount of pottery that it is assumed that it was contained within a pit (the edges perhaps not visible by groundwork). The nature of this deposit (being almost indistinguishable from the surrounding clay subsoil) possibly indicates a rapid backfill after the deposition of waste pottery. The finds support this idea; as of 453 recovered finds, 90% were of medieval Potterspury ware. Other finds recovered include ceramic building materials and animal bone again supporting the idea of a waste disposal. Fired clay may show a relationship to the kiln.
Due to the proximity of the kiln, it is likely that the waste pit forms part of a larger pit for wasted materials. Due to the circumstances of the excavation of the posthole for the fence no plan or profile could be ascertained. From this small area, 132 sherds of Potterspury ware were recovered, again displaying characteristics of waste.
The majority of the pottery dates from the late 14th to 15th century making it contemporary with the kiln.

<1> Masters, P., 1998, Archaeological Evaluation on Land Adjacent to 47-53 High Street, Potterspury, Northamptonshire April-May 1998, (checked) (Report). SNN47618.

<2> Chapman A, 1998-9, Potterspury, High Street, p. 180 (Note). SNN104061.

<3> Byard, A., 2004, 47-53 High Street, Potterspury, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Watching Brief, p. 8 (Report). SNN104510.

Record last edited

Feb 22 2024 2:38PM