Medieval and post-medieval pottery, Southminster Residential Care Home, Station Road (EHER 49429)

2017 Test Pit 4. One of ten test pits excavated in Southminster as part of the Access Cambridge Archaeology Project. The pottery form this site suggests that it was occupied in the earlier medieval period (1200-1400), but then was abandoned until the post-medieval era, during which time it had a marginal use as fields or the like. 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 form this site suggests that it was occupied in the earlier medieval period (1200-1400), but then was abandoned until the post-medieval era, during which time it had a marginal use as fields or the like. <1><2> A mix of medieval and later pottery was excavated from Test Pit 4 that has been identified as Essex Grey Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware, Harlow Slipware, English Stoneware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. The results suggest that there was activity on site during the medieval period and that this area may have been part of the core of the settlement at this time that continued into the early post-medieval period, after which the land was likely abandoned until the current house was built during the 18th century. Othe r finds recovered from throughout the test pit consist of ceramic building material (CBM), tile, clay pipe, glass, coal, slate, mortar, and a plant tag, pieces of chalk, oyster shell, brick fragments and animal bone. <3>