More information : SK 36133755 : Romano-British pottery kilns at Derby
Racecourse playing fields (see illustration card). Attention was
first brought to the site when Romano-British pottery sherds were
found. Trial excavations in 1967 established the presence of three
kilns. Rustic ware was found indicating late 1st or early 2nd century
activity, and a Samian sherd along with imitated Samian shapes
suggested a date in the first half of the 2nd century for the sealing
of one deposit.
In 1968 ten Trajanic kilns of the updraught type were excavated.
Products included lid-seated jars similar in fabric to Derbyshire
Ware, Rustic Ware jars, and beakers. A mortarium waster of the
potter Septiminus, who was working in the early 2nd century, was
built into one kiln. Samian ware from the filling of the kilns would
be consistent with a date of 110-20 AD for their abandonment.
In 1972-3 six kilns were excavated. Two were of early 2nd century
date, one of which had been disturbed by unauthorised digging
and the other was constructed partly over a filled-in well which
yielded pottery pre-dating the kiln. Two further kilns were of
Antonine date and had a smaller kiln lying adjacent to their
stokehole.
The last kiln, of which only the furnace survived, was of a 1st
century type and its remains had been partly destroyed when one
of the Antonine kilns was constructed. The main products consisted
of jars, bowls, and dishes; oxidized black burnished sherds were
found in the furnace chamber of the 1st century kiln. Other finds
included brooches, pins, and glass. Most finds from the excavations
are now in Derby Museum or at Nottingham University.
When production of pottery ceased in the mid 2nd century the
abandoned site was taken over by industrial workings. (1-4)
SK 362377. Two Roman brooches, one of "dolphin" type and one of
"aucissa" type were found in a field in the north-western area of
Racecourse Park by M. Brassington in 1967. In Derby Museum
(192-75 and 442-76). (5)
During excavtion of the pottery kilns in 1968, a skeleton was found
in the flue of one of the smaller kilns. The burial was probably
contemporary with the abandonment of the kilns c120 AD. (6)
During the 1974 excavations varying types of hearths and furnaces,
some at least associated with iron-working,were uncovered. (7)
Additional refernce. (8)
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