Pottery Report: Test pits 1-24
Wing Heritage Group-Archaeology Project: Wing CP, Buckinghamshire
(Site code 1612/WHP)
Saxon & Medieval pottery by Paul Blinkhorn freelance
Roman pottery additions by Janice McCleish freelance
Test pit descriptions (Italic) by Martin Cuthbert Wing Heritage Group
Where possible, the coding system of the Milton Keynes Archaeological Unit typeseries has been used (e.g. Mynard and Zeepvat 1992; Zeepvat et al. 1994). A number
of fabrics are not present in the MKAU type-series, but are common in Oxfordshire.
In those cases, the codes used are of the Oxfordshire types-series (Mellor 1994).
The following fabric types were noted:
Romano-British AD43-AD450
Milton Keynes type series:
MK9 Local Black Sandy & variants. 1st- 4th century.
Black surfaces with variety of core colours, some with red margins. Decorated with
burnishing, burnishing lattice, slips,or cordons.
MK36 Hadham Greyware 4th century.
Hadham kilns, Hertfordshire. Variety of greys, hard finish but where there is no slip
the surface can feel powdery and soft. Usually in the form of bowls with black
slipping, burnishing, bosses and dimples.
MK40 Cream / Orange Ware. 2nd-4th century.
Cream, pale pinkish orange surface with orange core, some cores may be off white,
pale grey. Red-brown colour coated decoration, some with incised lines. Usually in
form of wide mouthed necked jars/bowls.
Yet to be identified by a Roman pottery specialist
RB AD43-AD450
Saxon- Saxo-Norman AD450-1150
Oxfordshire type series:
OXAC: Cotswold-type ware, AD975-1350.
Coarse, calcareous ware Abundant limestone with some rounded ironstone and
occasional quartz
Milton Keynes type series:
SNC1:
St. Neots Ware. c AD900-1100.
Made at a number of as-yet unknown places in southern England between AD9001200. The early pots are usually a purplish-black, black or grey colour, the later
ones brown or reddish. All the sherds from this site date to AD1000 or later. The
clay from which they were made contains finely crushed fossil shell, giving them a
white speckled appearance. Most pots were small jars or bowls
MS19: Stamford Ware. c AD900-1200.
Made at several different sites in Stamford in Lincolnshire between AD850 and
1150. The earliest pots were small, simple jars with white, buff or grey fabric, or
large jars with painted red stripes. By AD1000, the potters were making vessels
which were quite thin-walled and smooth, with a yellow or pale green glaze on the
outside, the first glazed pots in England. These were usually jugs with handles and
a spout, but other sorts of vessel, such as candle-sticks, bowls and water-bottles are
also known. It appears to have been much sought after because it was of such good
quality, and has been found all over Britain and Ireland
In addition, the following, not in either type-series, were also noted:
CHAF: Early/Middle Saxon organic-tempered ware, 5th – 9th century.
Colours range from black to red, to grey and to brown, dependent on firing, and
used an organic temper leaving outlines of seeds and grass in the clay. Most
people probably made their own pottery of this type, dug from clay close to
where they lived and fired in bonfires. Pots were unglazed and made into simple
forms such as jars and bowls, but some, usually used as cremation urns, were
decorated with stamps and scored linear patterns.
THT: Thetford-type ware, 10th – 12th century (Rogerson and Dallas 1984)
Range of reduced, wheel-thrown and hand-finished fabrics mainly comprising
quartz sand up to 1mm. Produced at many centres in eastern England, although
most of these appear to be the products of the eponymous Norfolk centre.
Medieval- AD1050-1600
Milton Keynes type series:
MC1: Shelly Coarseware. AD1100-1400.
Hard fabric with plentiful fossil shell mixed in with the clay. Manufactured at
many sites in western Bedfordshire. Mostly cooking pots, but bowls and
occasionally jugs also known.
MS2: Medieval Sandy Ware 12th – 14th century
Hard fabric with plentiful quartz sand mixed in with the clay. Manufactured at a
wide range of generally unknown sites all over eastern England. Mostly cooking
pots, but bowls and occasionally jugs also known.
MS3: Medieval Grey Sandy Wares. Mid 11th – late 14th century.
Hard fabric with plentiful quartz sand mixed in with the clay. Manufactured at a
wide range of sites all over eastern England. Range of simple jars, bowls and
jugs.
MS6: Potterspury Ware AD1250 - 1600.
Made at Potterspury in Northamptonshire. Fine, slightly sandy ware, usually buff or
red in colour. Often found with patches of green glaze. A large number of kilns
have been excavated in the village over the years, and have shown that the potters
produced a wide range of different pots, although jars, bowls and jugs were the
commonest types.
MS9: Brill/Boarstall Ware. 1200-?1600.
Made at several centres on the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire border. Buff to
orange slightly sandy fabric, usually with a bright orange or green glaze. Usually
glazed jugs.
TLMS3: Late Medieval Reduced Ware. Mid 14th – early 16th century.
Hard, grey pottery with lots of sand mixed in with the clay, and occasionally small
fragments of limestone. Made from about 1350 – 1500 in lots of different sites in
the south-east midlands and western East Anglia. Used for everyday pottery such as
jugs and large bowls, and also large pots (‘cisterns’) for brewing beer.
TLMS18: Late Medieval Oxidized ware ?AD1450-?1500.
Hard, red pottery with lots of sand mixed in with the clay. Made from about 1450 –
1500 in lots of different sites in the south-east midlands and western East Anglia.
Used for everyday pottery such as jugs and large bowls, and also large pots
(‘cisterns’) for brewing beer.
Oxfordshire type series:
OXY: Medieval Oxford ware, AD1075 – 1350.
OXBX: Late Medieval Brill/Boarstall Ware, 15th – early 17th century.
Not always easy to distinguish on the basis of fabric alone but tend to be much
plainer, thicker-walled and less competently made with an increased output of
heavier utilitarian forms such as bowls, storage jars and drinking jugs. These
often have a minimal glaze or none at all.
Post-medieval AD1500-1900
Milton Keynes type series:
PM8: Red Earthenware 16th – 19th century.
Fine sandy earthenware, usually with a brown or green glaze, usually on the inner
surface. Made at numerous locations all over England. Occurs in a range of
practical shapes for use in the households of the time, such as large mixing bowls,
cauldrons and frying pans. It was first made around the middle of the 16th
century, and in some places continued in use until the 19th century.
PM16: Midland Blackware. 17th century.
Fine sandy earthenware, with a black iron-rich glaze, occurring in a range of
utilitarian forms. Such 'country pottery' was first made in the 16th century, and in
some areas continued in use until the 19th century.
PM25: White Earthenware. Late 18th – 20th century.
Often with transfer-printed decoration. Wide range of domestic wares. 19th – 20th
century.
PM29:
Rhenish Stonewares, AD1450+.
PM56: Manganese Glazed Ware. Late 17th – 18th century.
Made from a fine, buff-coloured clay, with the pots usually covered with a mottled
purple and brown glaze. A wide range of different types of pots were made, but
mugs
Results
Test-pit 1:
Test Pit
(TP)
1
1
1
Context
(Cntxt)
005
007
008
THT
Number Weight
(No)
(Wt)
1
10
OXAC
No Wt
3
16
1
6
(2 Prospect Place)
MC1
No Wt
1
1
2
1
48
14
MS3
No Wt
12
1
3
MS9
No Wt
179
6
18
2
2
TLMS18
No Wt
5
44
PM8
No Wt
1
2
Date
975-1600
1100-1200
900-1200
The pottery assemblage obtained from the lower subsoil deposit (005) suggests that
there has been continuous habitation within the vicinity of test pit 1 from the late
Saxon period, perhaps as early as AD900, with a peak of activity between AD1100
and 1350.
Feature [009], possibly the remnants of a pit, was identified at the base of test pit 1,
cutting the natural. Pottery sherds from its upper (007) and lower (008) fills indicate
this feature may have been in use in the early Norman period.
Test-pit 2:
TP
2
2
Cntxt
010
011
THT
No Wt
1
10
(33 Aylesbury Road)
OXY
No Wt
1
MS9
No Wt
1
8
17
Date
900-1400
1050-1100
A limited assemblage of pottery was obtained from the ploughsoil (010) and subsoil
(011) of test pit 2.
The assemblage suggests activity was occurring within the vicinity of test pit 2 from
the late Saxon into the later medieval period. However, the worn condition of the
pottery sherds suggests they may have been incorporated into manuring of the
villages surrounding fields.
Test-pit 4:
TP
4
Cntxt
018
OXAC
No Wt
1
7
(49 High Street)
MC1
No Wt
1
38
MS9
No Wt
1
24
PM25
No Wt
1
15
Date
975-1900
A limited assemblage of pottery was obtained from the made ground deposit (018) of
test pit 4.
The pottery assemblage suggests that the site has been in use from the late Saxon
period through to the later medieval period. There is little evidence of activity after
AD1650 until the Victorian period, when the current houses (then Stables) were
constructed on the site.
Test-pit 5:
TP
5
5
5
Cntxt
020
021
079
CHAF
No Wt
3
THT
No Wt
3
29
45
SNC1
No Wt
6
25
(58-60 High Street)
OXAC
No Wt
5
47
1
3
47 321
MS3
No Wt
1
10
5
85
MS2
No Wt
5
MS9
No Wt
1
28
1
5
PM56
No Wt
1
23
11
Date
900-1400
975-1750
450-1200
An assemblage of pottery was obtained from deposits (020-021) identified either side
of a post-medieval garden wall, within test pit 5. The assemblage from these made
ground deposits suggests that there has been continuous habitation within the vicinity
of test pit 5 from the late Saxon period.
A feature of unknown proportions was identified with test pit 5. Its last fill (079)
produced a large assemblage of Saxo-Norman pottery and a small assemblage of
early-mid Saxon pottery. Indicating this feature had fallen out of use and was
backfilled by c.1200AD.
Test-pit 9:
TP
9
9
Cntxt
032
035
MS3
No Wt
3
34
3
16
(33 Church Street)
MS9
No Wt
1
1
PM16
No Wt
1
6
PM25
No Wt
1
7
Date
1100-1750
1100-1200
A limited assemblage of pottery was obtained from the subsoil (032) of test pit 9. The
pottery assemblage suggests that the site has been in use from AD 1100.
Feature [036], possibly the remnants of a ditch, was identified at the base of test pit 9,
cutting the natural. Pottery sherds from its fill (035) indicate this feature may have
been in use in the early Norman period.
Test-pit 10:
TP
10
10
Cntxt
038
042
CHAF
No Wt
1
6
OXAC
No Wt
2
8
OXY
No Wt
2
40
(30 Church Street)
MC1
No Wt
1
8
7
51
MS3
No Wt
7
52
52 305
PM8
No Wt
2
11
PM25
No Wt
2
6
Date
1100-1900
450-1600
A small assemblage of pottery was obtained from a made ground deposit (038) within
test pit 10. A larger assemblage was obtained from a buried topsoil (042) located
below (038).
The assemblages suggest that there has been continuous habitation within the vicinity
of test pit 10 from the Saxon period, perhaps as early as AD450 but more likely later,
with a peak of activity between AD1100 and 1350. The location of test pit 10 was just
outside a known late Saxon boundary ditch, interpreted as the boundary ditch for the
Parish Church.
Test-pit 11:
TP
11
11
Cntxt
037
039
MK36
No Wt
1
MS3
No Wt
2
11
5
11
2
(31 Aylesbury Road)
MS9
No Wt
6
31
MS6
No Wt
2
PM8
No Wt
2
15
4
Date
1100-1600
300-1400
A limited assemblage of pottery was obtained from the ploughsoil (037) and subsoil
(039) of test pit 11.
The assemblage suggests activity was occurring within the vicinity of test pit 11 in the
Roman period and again in the later medieval period. However, the worn condition of
the medieval pottery sherds suggests they may have been incorporated into manuring
of the villages surrounding fields.
Test-pit 13:
RB
TP
13
Cntxt
046
No
1
Wt
2
(45 Stewkley Road)
?MK9g
?Mk12a
No Wt
1
1
?MK9j
No
1
Wt
9
?MK40b
No
1
Wt
7
Date
100-400
A limited assemblage of pottery was obtained from the topsoil (046) of test pit 13.
The assemblage suggests activity was occurring within the vicinity of test pit 13 in the
Roman period. However, the worn condition of the Roman pottery sherds suggests
that they may have been moved from their original place of deposition by plough
activity.
Test-pit 16:
TP
16
Cntxt
058
RB
No Wt
1
1
MS3
No Wt
25 129
MC1
No Wt
2
17
MS9
No Wt
8
64
(Land off Church Walk)
TLMS18
No Wt
4
20
TLMS3
No Wt
14 113
PM8
No Wt
8
83
PM56
No Wt
6
14
PM25
No Wt
5
11
A small assemblage of Victorian pottery was obtained from the topsoil (057) within
test pit 16. A large assemblage of medieval pottery was obtained from a mixed deposit
(058) located below (057).
The assemblages suggest that there has been continuous habitation within the vicinity
of test pit 16 from the 11th century, with a peak of activity between AD1100 and 1350.
The mixed deposit suggests that the area of test pit 16 has been disturbed and most
likely was at one time incorporated in the cemetery grounds.
Date
100-1900
Test-pit 18:
TP
18
Cntxt
065
(21 Leighton Road)
RB
No Wt
1
9
Date
100-400
A Single sherd of Roman pottery was retrieved from a modern topsoil deposit. The
worn condition of the Roman pottery sherd suggests that it may have been moved
from its original place of deposition by plough activity.
Test-pit 20:
TP
20
20
Cntxt
073
074
RB
No Wt
3
5
OXAC
No Wt
1
12
(2 Warwick Drive)
MS3
No Wt
2
16
3
28
MS2
No Wt
2
MS6
No Wt
6
32
PM8
No Wt
1
2
7
Date
1050-1600
100-1200
Three small sherds of Roman pottery were recovered from the ploughsoil of test pit
20. The assemblage suggests activity was occurring within the vicinity of test pit 20 in
the Roman period. However, the worn condition of the Roman pottery sherds suggests
that they may have been moved from their original place of deposition by plough
activity. Following the Roman period the site fell out of use until the 11th century
where it was re-inhabited from the 11th century into the modern period.
Test-pit 21:
TP
21
21
21
Cntxt
076
077
078
RB
No Wt
1
20
SNC1
No Wt
1
1
OXAC
No Wt
2
18
(10 Vicarage Lane)
MS3
No Wt
2
5
5
25
1
9
MS2
No Wt
MC1
No Wt
2
20
MS9
No Wt
1
6
PM8
No Wt
1
1
10
1
5
1
6
14
Date
900-1400
1050-1600
100-1400
A single large sherd of Roman pottery was retrieved from a modern buried topsoil
deposit (078). The sherd suggests the site is on the edge of Roman settlement activity.
Saxo-Norman pottery and High Medieval pottery from the modern topsoil deposit
(076) and made ground deposit (077) may have been bought onto site, however their
clean unworn condition suggests they are from the site itself. The pottery assemblage
indicates that the site has been in use from the late Saxon period through to the later
medieval period. There is little evidence of activity after AD1650 until the Victorian
period, when the current house was constructed on the site.
Test-pit 22:
TP
22
Cntxt
084
RB
No Wt
1
2
MS3
No Wt
4
7
(Jubilee Green)
MS9
No Wt
1
1
OXBX
No Wt
1
3
PM8
No Wt
5
27
PM56
No Wt
4
7
Date
100-1750
A limited assemblage of pottery was obtained from the topsoil (084) of test pit 22.
The assemblage suggests activity was occurring within the vicinity of test pit 22 in the
Roman period and again in the later medieval period. However, the worn condition of
the pottery sherds suggests they may have been incorporated into manuring of the
villages surrounding fields.
Test-pit 23:
TP
23
23
Cntxt
087
088
OXAC
No Wt
1
MS2
No Wt
1
7
4
(Queens Head pub)
MS3
No Wt
4
14
7
30
MS9
No Wt
1
8
PM8
No Wt
6
26
1
2
PM25
No Wt
2
9
Date
1050-1900
975-1600
A small assemblage of medieval pottery was retrieved from the topsoil (087) and
subsoil (088) of the first test pit excavated in the grounds of the Queens Head pub.
The assemblage suggests activity was occurring on the site throughout the Late Saxon
and Medieval periods from as early as 975.
Test-pit 24:
TP
24
Cntxt
091
CHAF
No Wt
1
5
MS19
No Wt
1
4
OXAC
No Wt
15 82
(Queens Head pub)
MS2
No Wt
4
18
MS3
No Wt
6
37
PM29
No Wt
1
5
PM25
No Wt
1
6
Date
450-1900
The second test pit excavated in the grounds of the Queens Head pub retrieved a
much larger assemblage of Saxo-Norman and Medieval pottery than that in TP23.
The single sherd of early-middle Saxon pottery and the assemblage of Saxo-Norman
pottery suggest the site has been lived upon since the middle Saxon period and
throughout the Saxo-Norman and high medieval periods.
Bibliography
Mellor, M, 1994 Oxford Pottery: A Synthesis of middle and late Saxon, medieval and
early post-medieval pottery in the Oxford Region
Oxoniensia 59, 17-217
Mynard, DC and Zeepvat RJ, 1992 Great Linford Bucks Archaeol Soc Monog Ser 3
Rogerson, A, and Dallas, C, 1984 Excavations in Thetford 1948-59 and 1973-80. E
Ang Archaeol 22
Zeepvat, RJ, Roberts, JS and King, NA, 1994
Caldecotte,
Milton
Keynes.
Excavation and Fieldwork 1966-91 Bucks Archaeol Soc Monog Ser 4