Notes on the Discovery of Romano- British Kilns and Potter ij. -295 



afterwards, whilst excavating laterally and in a southerly direction, 

 he found, 6yds. from the spot where he discovered the first urn, more 

 black earth, and partially uncovered another urn, which was inverted 

 like the one first discovered, and about l^in. below the surface of 

 the ground. It was very much broken up — probably some farm 

 implement had struck it in past years. It was left in silii, till I 

 had an opportunity of visiting the spot. After removing more 

 of the earth we found that the urn was encased in a hole lined with 

 clay, which had evidently been burnt. In this hole were a large 

 number of pieces of pottery. The hole was globular iu shape. 

 Near the surface, or upper part, the cavity measured 2ft. 6in. 

 across, and its diameter was 3ft. 6in. in the widest part — near 

 the centre. The depth was 2ft. 6in. The burnt clay lining 

 averaged 2|in. in thickness. The appearances indicated that the 

 clay had been fixed in position iu the cavity whilst soft, and that 

 afterwards a fire had been lighted and kept alight for a considerable 

 time, as the clay was baked quite through, and had burnt to a decided 

 red brick colour.^ 



This kiln, as it may be called, was filled to the top with black 

 burnt earth and innumerable bits of pottery surrounding the urn. 

 In clearing out this stuff a flint knife, or scraper, was found, and one 

 or two small fragments of Samian pottery, together with several 

 small sharp-pointed fragments of flint like small drills. 



Having cleared this kiln out completely it was found to be con*- 

 nected with a small channel, or flue, about 1ft. wide and l^ft, deep, 

 about half-way up the north wall of the cavity, and pursuing this 

 some little distance another kiln was discovered, and in its centre 

 another urn, similar in shape to the first found though much smaller. 

 This also was inverted and surrounded with pieces of pottery, burnt 

 wood, &c. 



This kiln was much the same in shape as the other one, though 

 the thickness of the earth above it was only about 9in. At its 

 widest part its diameter was 32in., the depth was 27in., and the 

 thickness of the clay lining at the bottom 2^\a. In some places 



'Specimens of this clay lining, now in the Museum, show the marks of. tiie 

 sticks, fern leaves, &c., impressed upon it when the clay was wet. 



