17th century pottery kiln near playing fields, Harlow (EHER 1922)

A 17th century pottery kiln was excavated here in advance of road working in 1952-1953.

Pottery kiln, excavated in advance of road working, 1952-1953. 17th century in date, egg-shaped in plan with broken end to the south. Measured 3.65m (12ft) x 2.75m (9ft) internally, walls were 0.33m (13 inches) thick. <1> Excavated at the same time as EHER 3764 by E.F. Newton and E. Bibbings. <2> Referred to in <3> as "Carters Mead". Additional reference: <4> NRHE data transfer: Post Medieval pottery kiln identified in advance of road construction in 1952-3 on the east side of Latton Road. The site was first recorded by a scatter of pottery including wasters. Excavations located a pit measuring 20 feet by 10 feet which had been backfilled with kiln debris. A brick-built kiln was also recorded. It was oval in plan, measured 12 feet by 9 feet. The walls were 13 inches thick. The kiln produced mostly domestic coarsewares including pitchers and bowls. Sometimes these were glazed. Other products included blackwares and Metropolitan slipwares. The range of material was very similar to that found on the kiln site to the west of the A11 (TL 40 NE 24) except the latter site had a higher proportion of Metropolitan wares. Production took place during the 17th century. <2>