finds from the Roman kiln near Manningtree

This week, our excavators are still working on the evaluation site near Manningtree where we recently uncovered the remains of a small Roman pottery kiln (the below-ground lower chamber). Our volunteers have also been processing the finds, in the processing room here at Roman Circus House.

After a quick look at some of the finds today, while they were being processed, we have come up with some speculative observations. We think that the burnt fragments of clay probably derive from the collapsed floor of the kiln’s upper chamber. The site has produced quite a lot of Roman pottery fragments, and these show quite a range of pottery, from coarse to high-quality wares. The high-quality wares are represented by a few fragments of samian ware, including decorated samian ware, and decorated fine ware. These would have been table wares, for dining and drinking, and the fragments were probably redeposited here in material from a nearby Roman settlement or farmstead by subsequent agricultural activity. However, the finds also include a group of rim fragments, which suggests that these represent pottery vessels which were being fired in this kiln. These are very interesting. The pots which were being made here seem to have included quite fine grey wares. Excitingly, we have also excavated a complete Roman pot from the lower chamber of the kiln. This is in two pieces and it is a small cooking-pot made of coarse grey ware. It looks like a mis-shapen (mis-fired) pot. As it is complete and derives from the kiln itself, it may have been used as a prop in the kiln when it was in use. All these ceramic finds will next be studied by the Trust’s Roman pottery specialist and fully reported on in our site report.

Some of the finds were processed today (6th February) by Hannah, who is working with us as a volunteer for two weeks before half-term! Hannah is a pupil at St Helena School in Colchester, and she got interested in archaeology when the Trust was conducting an evaluation in the school grounds recently. Hannah’s whole family is interested in archaeology and, today, she was joined in the processing room by her mother.

The images show: some of the finds in the processing room at the end of the day, today, ie the fragments of probable kiln fabric; the group of pottery rim fragments; the complete pot, and Hannah and her mother working in the processing room.

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