Monument record MDO6791 - Probable Roman salt-boiling hearths, Carter's Tile Works, Hamworthy, Poole

Two probable 1st or 2nd century AD kilns, originally thought to be pottery kilns, later reinterpreted as salt-boiling hearths. The kilns were associated with Roman coarseware and fineware pottery and briquetage.

The remains of two Romano-British kilns, ovens, or hearths were excavated in September and October 1949, under the supervision of H P Smith. The kilns were found at a depth of about 2 feet and charcoal, briquetage and pottery was found adjacent. The pottery included countersunk-handled black burnished ware vessels, white ware flagons etc of probable 1st century date. The excavator originally described the features as pottery kilns and identified a quantity of kiln debris including three complete kiln-rests and several fragments of saggers. The associated finds suggested the kilns had gone out of use by the 3rd century AD. <1> The material was reinterpreted by R A H Farrar who identified the kiln furniture as briquetage and suggested that the kilns were for salt boiling rather than for pottery production. <2> Sited by the excavator at SZ 00259045. <3>

Record last edited

Apr 11 2022 1:42PM