Medieval and post-medieval pottery, 2 The Chestnuts (EHER 49428)

2017 Test Pit 3. One of ten test pits excavated in Southminster as part of the Access Cambridge Archaeology Project. The pottery from this test pit shows that the site was occupied throughout the medieval period. It then seems to have had a more marginal use from the 16th century onwards. Other finds were also recovered but remain undated.

April 2017. Access Cambridge Archaeology test pitting. One of ten test pits excavated in Southminster as part of the Access Cambridge Archaeology Project. The pottery from this test pit shows that the site was occupied throughout the medieval period. It then seems to have had a more marginal use from the 16th century onwards. <1> <2> The majority of the pottery excavated from Test Pit 3 dates to the medieval period as Essex Grey Ware and Late medieval ware, with additional post-medieval and later wares also recorded as Glazed Red Earthenware, Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. A large amount of tile and ceramic building material (CBM) were excavated through the test pit that may hint at the presence of a structure on or close to site during the post-medieval period, although additional excavations would be needed to confirm this. Other finds include slate, coal, oyster shell, pieces of plastic, glass, clay pipe and scrap metal. <3>