Medieval Ceramics Volume 19: Journal of the Medieval Pottery Research Group

Editorial of Medieval Ceramics 1995

The use of shell for temper in the early medieval period was not confined to English pottery, for a group of similar material was produced in the Frisian coastal area. This paper outlines the main features of the Frisian ware and the current state of research. It has become clear that this continental ware is essentially distinguishable from the English fabrics and has an almost separate distribution. In the wake of trade across the North Sea, however, pottery from both provenances reached some of the same trade centres, where it is particularly important to consider typological details in order to make a positive attribution.

Landscaping work in October 1992 to the rear of domestic properties bordering Ashampstead Common, near Newbury in Berkshire, uncovered large quantities of medieval pottery. Limited examination of the landscaped area in January 1993 demonstrated that at least two phases of medieval kiln were present on the site, beneath a very thin cover of ploughsoil, within archaeological contexts yielding large quantities of medieval pottery of late 12th- to 13th-century date.

Detailed studies have been made of floor tiles from three locations in Scotland. Examination of two-colour tiles from 18 Broomgate, the site of the Greyfriars, Lanark, revealed decoration unlike that on other tiles of this type found in Scotland. Remains of a floor from the chapel at Mount Lothian, Midlothian were found to be of imported Flemish tile, a type also present at Niddry Castle, West Lothian. Tile with relief-moulded decoration was also found here and compared with similar tile from castles in East Lothian. Further analysis, using tile from other sites, along with neglected documentary evidence, provided more information on the manufacture, trade and the use of tile in Scotland.

The quantification of finds assemblages from excavations, as an aid to the comparative study of assemblages and sites, is a developing and increasingly important aspect of post-excavation analysis. In the area of pottery studies a major influence has been the work of Clive Orton and Paul Tyers, culminating in the recent release of the ‘pie-slice’ package for computer analysis. Much of the published literature is either highly technical, or of an expository nature which needs a great deal of the technical material and underlying assumptions to be taken on trust. The present paper is intended to be intermediate between these two levels. We address some of the more complex or less obvious issues involved in application of the pie-slice ‘philosophy’. A worked example is given to highlight aspects of some of the assumptions and calculations involved. Some attention is given to what can be done outside the pie-slice package. One concern is the analysis of assemblages that have been quantified using estimated vessel equivalents (eves), but not in a manner that allows conversion to pottery information equivalents (pies) in the pie-slice package.

Publication review

Publication review

Publication review

Publication review

Income and Expenditure Account for Medieval Pottery Research Group for the Year Ended 31 January 1995

Colour Plates for the issue

Preliminaries (i.e. coverpage, contents) of Medieval Ceramics 1995