The Crockle Potteries. 



217 



fields lay, whilst at one place five banks meet in a point, and 

 between two of them appear some slight traces of what may 

 have been a road.* 



At the bottom of the hill, but more to the south-westward, 

 stands the Lower Hat, where the same coarse ware covers the 

 earth, and where the presence of nettles and chickweed shows 

 that the place has once been inhabited. 



The Crockle and Island Thorn potteries lie about a mile to 

 the north-east. At Crockle there were, before Mr. Bartlett opened 

 them, three mounds, varying in circumference from one hundred 

 and eighty to seventy yards, each, as I have ascertained, con- 

 taining at least three or four, but probably more, kilns. As 

 the lowest part of the smallest and easternmost mound had 

 not been entirely explored, I determined to open this piece. 



* The spot where these banks intersect each other is known as Sloden 

 Hole, and is well worthy of notice. The annexed plan will best show 



the character of the place. The 

 largest bank is that which runs 

 to the south-west, measuring four 

 yards across, and proving by its 

 massiveness that it is a Roman 

 work. Upon digging, as shown in 

 the plan, at the point of intersec- 

 tion, we found pieces of iron and 

 iron slag, sandstone, charcoal, and 

 Roman pottery similar to that 

 made in Crockle. Many of these 

 banks run for long distances. That 



to the south-east reaches the top of Sloden Green, about half a mile off, 

 whilst the north-east bank stretches for nearly a mile to Whiteshoot. There 

 are, too, other banks scattered about Sloden, which, if examined, would 

 doubtless yield similar results, but none are so well denned as these. The 

 largest bank which I know in the district stretches from Pitt's Enclosure, 

 in a south-easterly direction across Anderwood, and so through the southern 

 parts of Sloden. 



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