Monument record MWX3524 - Bestwall Quarry Archaeological Project, Field Z, Roman pottery production centre

Roman pottery production centre identified in Field Z.

Enormous amounts of Roman pottery apparent when site was stripped, in both features and surface scatters. Thirty kiln types features were identified, each consisting of a firing chamber, flue and stoke pit. Four types of firing chamber: circular with a thick clay wall; sub-circular with a thin clay wall; thin clay walls and multi-chambered; rectangular with stone walls. Most of the kilns were enclosed by a series of ditches which appear to have been utilised as dumps for wasters. Heaps of raw clay recorded near many of the kilns. Archaeo-magnetic dating did not conform to pottery evidence. Also excavated two potential structures. The first was a spread of raw clay 5m x 3m forming a floor littered with substantial blocks of unworked hearthstone and limestone. A later Roman ditch cut through this features. The second structure was rectangular and c. 6m x 4.8m. Enormous amounts of pottery, large pieces of worked and unworked stone (hearthstone and limestone rubble and querns, a mortar and a polished panel), shale, ironwork (nails), five coins and 14 pottery burnishers recovered. Majority of pottery was Black Burnished ware. Possibly a sunken floored building but may simply be a natural hollow used for refuse disposal. Large amounts of pottery and associated features suggests a production centre dating to the 3rd/4th century AD (1)

Record last edited

Jun 4 2021 3:52PM