Mini Archaeological Venture July 2025
by Museum Assistant Peggy
The Higgins Bedford was contacted by Albion Archaeology regarding a find in Sutton, Near Potton in Bedfordshire. These days there is a law which enables excavation prior to building work. In this case the building work is for a new multi-use games area for Sutton Primary School. Albion Archaeology asked for volunteers to help with cleaning, sorting and labelling. This voluntary work was carried out in the Activity Room within the Higgins Museum.
The find is a kiln containing 15th – 16th Century Medieval pottery. It is a rare large find of various pieces of pots and tiles. The tiles are thick and have a couple of holes to pin them into place. There are many small pieces of pottery which are referred to as shards or sherds. There are also some larger pieces recognisable as handles plus circular shapes which are the bottom or sides of vessels, as well as large pieces of tiles. These larger pieces are referred to as diagnostic. Many of the tiles were large pieces. Some pieces have imprints made by fingers or thumbs to afford some decoration. Some actual fingerprints have been found within these decorative parts. Quite incredible! Other diagnostic pieces have simple lines to form basic patterns.
The tiled floor of the kiln is still largely intact as are the flues and stoke holes. The walls were also tiled, and again, largely intact.
Sometimes treasure such as jewellery is found on some sites, but none on this occasion. Seeds were also collected to work out plant life which enables the archaeologists to work out what was eaten, and what the environment was like. Sometimes little fragments of animal bone are found from which archaeologists can determine which animals were kept. There can be small stone fragments found within the pottery structure used to strengthen the pottery item.
The labelling basically consists of a number denoting the layer in which the items have been found as well as the site reference. Whilst being washed a further number to indicate how many pieces/items are in the trays used which are used to keep in them initially.
That was the main work of the volunteers, cleaning the pieces, sorting into diagnostic pieces and shards/sherds, then adding the number of pieces to the label per tray. The warm water had to be changed frequently and disposed of outside to grateful plants during the hot weather, not down the sink so as to avoid blocking drains.
An altogether enjoyable and interesting few sessions. It was also messy but surprisingly relaxing.
The Higgins will be storing the items in one of their warehouses for which Albion Archaeology will pay rent. Volunteers have been invited to go along to Albion Archaeology to have a look around. I have the email of Helen to arrange a visit at my leisure. That’ll likely be October when I’m not so busy. Looking forward to that!
