Site of Roman Tile Kilns 400m SE of Dennis Farm

1 Located during ploughing in 1964. Subsequent magnetometer survey produced a kiln. The site is in an elevated and well-drained location with clay and a water source close by. The kiln has a firing chamber with cross walls, a main flue and stoke holes. After abandonment the kiln was filled in. At a later date a trench cut the stoke hole; this was perhaps to form part of a second kiln, which was abandoned and then filled with rubbish. Pottery is probably of 2nd-3rd century date. The kiln was producing tegulae, imbrex, box-flue and flat tiles. Found in the topsoil was a fairly well-preserved long cross penny of Henry III (PRN 5143).
2 A further area was stripped revealing a well-preserved kiln (kiln 2) superimposed on a further kiln (kiln 3) of similar form to the original kiln. Both kilns were tile kilns, associated pottery indicated abandonment of kiln 2 in early 4th century. Eight stone-packed post holes possibly indicate the location of a workshop or drying shed. In the ash layer of kiln 2 a small bronze wire bracelet was found.
3,4,5 Ongoing excavation reports.
6 Interim report.
7 Mentioned.