Medieval pottery kiln at Attwoods (EHER 8602)

Medieval settlement and pottery kiln identified at Russell Road, Halstead. The site was recorded during excavations along the route of an Anglian Water mains pipeline. The settlement was thought to be 12th-13th century in date.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: 1934. Excavation Medieval pottery kiln found in 1934 of the 12th century, excavated by Pudney, seen by Poulter. Elliptical, about 7ft long x 4.5ft wide, x 2.5ft deep. Chalk and clay lining, seen in water pipe trench. Stoke hole dug almost as deep as the kiln floor and was on the west side. Only the lower part of the kiln was intact (about 6'). No evidence for superstructure. About 2 cwt of sherds was found, bowls, jugs etc. Some had a coarse lead glaze, as at Acacia House. Late 13th century in date. Site Assessment = Under plough. No surface indications of a kiln. <1> <2> 1954. Excavation. 13th century pottery kiln found in pipe trench in 1954 (Brinson told E. Sellers). Under plough, no surface indications of a kiln except three medieval sherds. Site Assessment = Under plough, no surface indications of a kiln except three random medieval sherds. <3> August 1976. Field visit. The area is at present under plough. A slight scatter of medieval tile and a few random sherds of medieval pottery were seen on the surface, but no heavy concentration was noted to indicate the exact sites of the kilns. The grid reference of both sites was confirmed by E. Sellers. No report of the earlier excavation is available. <4> 1993. Watching brief. Medieval settlement and pottery kiln identified at Russell Road, Halstead in 1993. The site was recorded during excavations along the route of an Anglian Water mains pipeline. The settlement was thought to be 12th-13th century in date. The salvage excavation took place in March 1993 after the renewal of a water main at the junction of Russell's Road and the A131 immediately south-west of Halstead in Greenstead Green and Halstead Rural civil parish. The work was undertaken on behalf of Anglian Water. It was thought possible that the groundworks might disturb further kilns. Ten archaeological features were investigated. A sondage excavated to examine a shallow feature at the south-west end of the area investigated recovered late medieval and post medieval material and demonstrated that it truncated a ditch containing 12th-13th century pottery. A pit at the north-east end of the area investigated contained tightly-packed burnt stones and some charcoal, but no dating evidence; there was no evidence of burning in situ. Other 12th-13th century features (dated by pottery) included a pit; a gully and a small posthole or stake hole. The archaeological evidence suggests occupation contemporary with the known kilns. <5> See also: <6> - <10>