VESSEL

Report of a large group of mainly Post Medieval pottery with some late Medieval and early 18th century sherds. Report by David Dawson, 31st January 2017. This report has been submitted to the HER but is also recorded here to ensure it remains associated with the reports of the small finds form this site as well as previously recorded pottery.

Report:

The core date of the collection, all much eroded by being in the plough soil, seems to be 17^th century with four sherds that are late medieval and a further nine that could be as late as late 17^th/early 18^th century, viz;

1 sherd of Staffordshire white salt-glazed stoneware tea bowl;

2 sherds of Bristol/Staffordshire yellow slipware cup;

4 sherds of Bristol/Staffordshire yellow slipware press moulded plate;

2 sherds of Westerwald mug.

The most distinctive Medieval sherd is the upper part of a jug handle and possible remains of the rim of a reduced fabric with moderate iron inclusions and restrained stabbing at the join and down the sides and centre of the handle - possibly a product local to west Somerset.

The red earthenwares accord with the core date. Most seem to be of west Somerset origin (Nether Stowey was in production at this time) and the forms are similar to those of west Somerset origin published from Narrow Quay, Bristol (Good 1987). There are three handles with pulled in sides that are from cups typical of the late 16^th/early 17^th century. Most of the forms are of jars and pans. There are two plain rims of plates and a sherd of a base that is sgraffito decorated. A sherd of barley-sugar twisted handle may well belong to the 16^th century. Note there is the rim and spur of a chafing dish and the rim and base of a bucket-handle. Some of the finer wares, possible small jugs or tankards are slipped in white and splashed with green brass-filings. There is one sherd of a flat form, probably a dripping tray.

From other sources are a small collection of gravel tempered earthenwares glazed internally, typical of the North Devon potteries and two sherds of late 17^th/early 18^th-century tin-glazed earthenware.

There are two unmarked clay pipe bowls of the compact form typical of the late 16^th/early 17^th century.

Miscellaneous building materials including brick and roofing slate are present, some contemporary with the pottery but some eg. the sherd of land drain clearly much later.

Whilst the peripheral finds might be attributed to an activity such as manuring, the main body seem to derive from some kind of domestic settlement near at hand. Although no sign of such a site has been identified, it may be that the extensive construction of a water-management system presumably in the 18^th century could have disturbed such a site and cast the debris on adjoining land.

References

Good, G L, 1987. 'The excavation of two docks at Narrow Quay, Bristol, 1978-9', Post-medieval Archaeology 21, 25-126.