Medieval pottery kilns at Starlings Hill, Southey Green (EHER 6879)

Medieval pottery kilns identified at Starling's Hill between 1954-1971. The pottery was of either a fine micaceous slightly sandy fabric or grey coarsewares. Forms included jugs, cooking pots, bowls and storage jars. Production took place from the late 12th century until the late 13th century.

Two medieval kiln sites. <1> In SMR, summary of notes by Hull on information from Mr J. Lindsay. Location of site is given as "in first dip, in which a stream crosses the road, after turning west off A1017 at Cut Maple. There are dumps of medieval wares in the area". One of the kilns was found "on the first bank we examined". Rough sketch plan, section and location map included with notes. "Above the topmost floor of burnt clay was grass. Above that the ground had been sliced off by the local authorities in widening the corner and removing trees... The road widening and removal of trees at D have broken the sides and the upper levels have gone, but the general shape is clear - rather bulbous than oval". The section indicates a laid floor of flints in white clay with, above this, walls and three floors of red burnt clay, two whitish clay floors separating the red floors, "sherds are generally 13th century, none glazed". <2> - <6> NRHE data transfer: Three medieval kiln sites were found in 1954 <7> at Starling's Hill, Southey Green, Sible Hedingham, by J. Lindsay <7> <8>. One produced late 13th century jugs and the other two mainly cooking pots. The second one was a double stoke-hole kiln with flint lined flue, its floor having three burnt levels. The other two kilns have not yet been located, only a scatter of wasters <8>. Sherds discovered are mainly 13th century with a scatter in ditches extending to the 15th century <9>. <7> - <10> 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. <11> <12>