NHER 6295 (Monument record) - Roman pottery kilns

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Summary

The chamber and part of a stoke hole of a Roman pottery kiln were dug out when a fence was constructed in 1956. The site was completely excavated in 1956. The kiln was probably in use between AD 100 and 140. The floor was formed of a series of radiating clay firebars. Many pieces of overfired clay were found. These show the kiln was used to fire greyware storage jars, platters and beakers.

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Location

Map sheet	TG14SW
Civil Parish	UPPER SHERINGHAM, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Full Description

March 1956 in digging hole for post for fence of Erpingham Rural District Council works depot.
Chamber and part of stoke hole dug out by Council employees.
Roman pottery kiln and pottery found.

June 1956.
Completely excavated for NCM by R.R. Clarke (NCM).
Probably early 2nd century (AD 100 to 140).
Kiln circular updraught type with floor formed of radiating clay bars, probably resting on inverted jar.
Some bars bear impressions of bracken: clay plates have grass impressions. Chamber 1.2m (4 feet) diameter, stokehole oval.
See (S1) and (S2).

Decline 5 degrees west plus or minus 3 degrees.
Incline 70 degrees plus or minus 2 degrees.
See (S3) and (S4).
Pottery wasters all grey ware (except for small group) much overfired and spongy included heavy storage jars, lighter storage jars grey platter, grey beakers.
See file for further details.
R.R. Clarke (NCM).

Associated Sources (12)

--- SNF87565 Article in Serial: Clarke, R. R. 1957. Other Archaeological Excavations 1956. Norfolk Research Committee Bulletin. Series 1 No 9 (for 1956) p 2.
--- SNF49212 Drawing: Various. Various. Architectural plans.
--- SNF87313 Monograph: Swan, V. G.. 1984. The Pottery Kilns of Roman Britain. Royal Commission on Historical Monuments Supplementary Series. 5.
--- SNF64518 Photograph: M436 and 437 Upper Sheringham kiln.
--- SNF87260 Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Sheringham (Upper).
--- SNF57722 Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
--- SNF57204 Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TG 14 SW 16.
--- SNF2259 Serial: 1956. Council for British Archaeology Group 7 Bulletin of Archaeological Discoveries. No 3. p 5.
<S1> SNF464 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1956. [Articles on the finding and excavation of the Roman kiln].
<S2> SNF2298 Article in Serial: 1958. Archaeomagnetism: A preliminary report on Britain. Antiquity. Vol XXXII, pp 167-178. p 177.
<S3> SNF6430 Article in Serial: Howlett, D. R. 1961. A Roman Pottery Kiln at Upper Sheringham, Norfolk. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXXII pp 211-219.
<S4> SNF2309 Article in Serial: 1957. The structure of Romano-British pottery kilns. The Archaeological Journal. Vol CXIV pp 10-27. p 20.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (2)

Object Types (1)

POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Find out more...(1)

Upper Sheringham (Parish Summary)

Record last edited

May 3 2022 11:33AM