15th to 17th century lime and tile kiln at Tilekiln Green (EHER 4661)

Excavations between 2022 and 2023 confirmed this to be the site of a lime and tile kiln. Its presence had been suspected prior to excavation as large quantities of broken tiles and medieval pottery sherds had previously been identified on the site.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Possible site of tile kiln. <1> March 1950. Field survey. There are large quantities of broken, unused tile, of a type similar to those from the Medieval tile kiln at Stebbing, Essex, on the surface of this ploughed field within the area centred TL 519 214. I also found several fragments of baked clay and a number of sherds of Medieval pottery with yellow glaze. The site may possibly be that of a tile kiln. <2> <3> Mary 1975. Field survey. No change to report of 6-3-50. <4> If any groundworks takes place in the area of this site the archaeology section should be informed so that a watching brief can be maintained. <5> 2022-2023. Trial trenching and excavation. Evaluation in 2022 confirmed the presence of a tile and also uncovered lime kiln and three additional structures or workshops. Excavation in 2023 revealed further details. Both kilns and one workshop were built partially below ground which helped preservation, the others at ground level. Finds analysis and radiocarbon dating would suggest a date range for the kilns from the 14th to the 17th century. The lime kiln consisted of a barrel-shaped combustion chamber with two opposing draw-holes. The draw-holes led into two ancillary chambers where the lime burners would have worked, one of which appears to have been a later addition. The combustion chamber was built of peg-tile. The retaining walls of the ancillary chambers were constructed out of courses of flint and pegtile, with the internal walls of peg-tile alone. The tile kiln was largely built of peg-tile in a lime mortar but included some brick, especially at the front of the structure. The firing chamber of the tile-kiln had two flues divided by a spine wall, which were connected to the stokepit by two arched stokeholes. The flues were spanned by at least seven tightly packed arched spandrels which would have carried the floor of the kiln. The subterranean tile-lined chamber at the back of the tile kiln is particularly interesting. Connecting both kilns it probably represents a warm working and/or storage space for both the lime burners and tile makers. The sheer quantity of peg-tile wasters from the site reveals that peg-tiles were being manufactured in the kiln. Although brick, ridge tile and bonnet hip-tile were included amongst the finds assemblage, there was no direct evidence that any of these were being made here. They could have been brought onto the site during the construction of the kilns and associated structures. Unfortunately neither the hearth of the lime kiln nor the stoke-pit of the tile kiln were revealed, but charcoal samples were taken from associated contexts in both kilns. Analysis of these remains revealed evidence for the use of large mature oak logs, along with beech, birch, ash and hornbeam, all of which have different qualities that would make them a good source of fuel. In addition, bundles of wood and wood stems from trees and shrubs like hazel and cherry/plum/ blackthorn would have produced extreme heat and high flames over a short time. In addition to the two kilns and the tile-lined chamber, the remains of two additional structures were identified, both built at ground level. To the west of the lime kiln, structural remains included a beam slot, post-holes, a hearth and possible peg-tile floor. These remains had been sealed by the layer of slaked lime that covered most of the site, indicating that the building had been demolished while the lime kiln was still in use. To the south of the lime kiln, and built over the backfilled tile-lined chamber, were two beam slots forming a right-angled corner and a tiled surface. Both were probably workshops. There was another possible hearth to the east of the kilns, but no other structural remains were found in association with it. The only other features of note are the ditches surrounding site, which were probably drainage features keeping water away from the kilns and workshops. Food and food processing remains were small in quantity but included cereal grains from the structure to the east of the lime kiln, animal bone (cattle, pig, sheep/goat and chicken) and a fragment of quernstone. Many of the pottery sherds were also kitchen wares used to prepare and store food. It is highly likely that the lime burners/tile-makers would have lived on site to tend the kilns while they were being fired, and they may have lived in the associated structures and workshops during these periods. Tools from the site included lead weights, woodworking augers and agricultural implements, giving some indication as to activities carried when the kilns were not being tended. <6> See also: <7>