Medieval pottery kilns at Hole Farm (EHER 6845)

Medieval pottery kilns identified at Hole Farm. The first kiln was recorded during road construction in 1888. Four more were identified during excavations in 1971-1973, these included two double stoke-hole kilns, both constructed of clay and showed several phases of rebuilding and alterations. Kiln 1 comprised an oven 2.2 metres by 1.5 metres and was 0.3 metres deep. Kiln 2 had a sub-rectangular oven, 1.6 metres by 1.6 metres with a depth of 0.95 metres. Kiln 2 had been constructed over part of an earlier kiln (Kiln 3) and appeared to be later than Kiln 1.The pottery was of either a fine micaceous slightly sandy fabric or grey coarsewares. Forms included cooking pots, jugs, bowls, storage jars, fire covers and skillets. Production took place from the late 12th century until the late 13th century.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: In 1888 a kiln, was found about 4ft below the surface in road-making at Hole Farm, Sible Hedingham. Potsherds found beside the road for 20 to 30ft were thought by E. Bingham to be Roman <1>, but are now known to be medieval, certainly before 1250 <2>. Excavations in 1971-2 revealed four Medieval kilns (two being superimposed) and a waster-filled ditch. One sherd from the ditch was thought to be of pre-conquest date <2>. A large quantity of pottery was recovered, some glazed ware, probably early 13th century, and there were a few sherds which may date from about 1150 <3>. <1> - <4> Medieval Kilns at TL 786327 and TL 781318 produced 13th to 15th century pottery. <5> 1971. Excavation. Kilns 1 and 2 were excavated in 1971. They both had double stoke holes. Only the western stoke hole of each kiln was excavated. Kiln 1 was made of chalky boulder clay, was oval-shaped, 2.2 x 1.5m in dimension and 0.3m deep. It was divided longitudinally by 2 clay walls. The west flue sloped down to the west stoke hole. The clay floor of the flue had been cut away, suggesting it was originally a down-draught kiln. Alterations also included lengthening of the flue and dividing walls. The kiln was later in date than Kiln 2. Also, it was found to have been built over the oven of Kiln 3. Kiln 2 was made of yellow sandy pot clay and had a subrectangular oven 1.6 x 1.6m, 0.95m deep. It had a longitudinal support 1.1 x 0.3m high. The floor of the western flue ran through an arch into the stoke hole. There was a similar arch on the opposite side of the kiln. The oven walls had been much patched and the arches had been rebuilt several times. An unbroken pot was found in the kiln, probably left 'in situ' after the last firing. In all, over 15 cwt of pottery was found in the excavations, mostly unglazed. Some of the glazed sherds resembled early 13th century pottery from Writtle. Some of the unglazed pottery could date from about 1150. In order of frequency the vessel types were: plain cooking pots, possible small storage jars, jugs, large shallow bowls, large storage jars, small jars, fire covers, skillets. Before the modern lane was built in about 1800, access to the site was from Starlings Hall, 350m to the south, where kilns making similar pottery were found in 1954. <3> <6> 1972. Excavation. In 1972, Kiln 3 was excavated. This probably began as a long oval pit 2.7m x 1.5m and at least 0.9m deep. Later clay lining and a long central pedestal were added. After much relining and patching, the kiln went out of use and was filled with pottery and wall debris. Large flints were laid on top as a foundation for Kiln 1. The opposed stoke holes of both kilns were superimposed. It was found that the south side of Kiln 2 had been relined twice and the western flue arch remade four times. The northern side had cut a ditch running east-west that contained pottery possibly dating to about 1150, in both primary and secondary fills, and sherds of an earlier jug from the primary filling. Cooking pots and storage jars were found in the ditch, many with spots of stray glaze. New forms from 1972 included shallow bowls, pots with opposed strap-handles, small squat jars, tubular-spouted pitchers, and a cresset lamp. Sherds from two chimney-pots and sherds of fineware jugs were also found. A fourth kiln was found under the central pedestal of Kiln 3. <7> <8> 1973. Excavation In 1973, Kiln 2 was removed to reveal Kiln 5 which had cut away most of Kiln 4. The latter survived as a simple unlined pit in natural sand. It probably had a single stoke hole. Kiln 5 was oval, also an unlined hole in the sand, with clay plastering on the northern edge, on the central pedestal, and in the eastern of its flues, which had traces of glaze. The two stoke holes were reused later for Kiln 2. Construction and use of the kilns was shown not to have been continuous. New forms and decorative features included sherds from two spouted jugs, one with a bearded face mask. <9> <10> Finds also included a few iron objects, worked flints. They were to go to Colchester Museum but had not been deposited there in 1974. <11> Location of kilns shown on part of OS 25" map. <12> Five photos of site under excavation. <13> November 1975. Field visit. The site of the 1971-2 excavation, on the south side of the track to Hole Farm was evident at TL 78343200 together with a scatter of unglazed pottery. No evidence of further kilns was found in the area which is mostly under plough. Site surveyed at 1:2500. <14> See also: <15> - <18> NRHE data transfer: A pottery industry centred on the Sible Hedingham area has been documented from the 13th century until the 19th century. Excavations have located several medieval pottery kilns which were in production from the late 12th century however as yet, little is known of the post-medieval kilns. <19> <20>