| Abstract: |
Report on excavations undertaken at Wickham Barn, Chiltington, during 1995 and 1996 which revealed a small Roman pottery industry. Two Roman pottery kilns were excavated, one of which still had the remains of its floor and part of the last kiln load in situ. In addition, numerous other features associated with the pottery production site, such as pits and ditches, were excavated. The site, operating between AD 250 and 350 or later, is the first to be found and excavated in central or east Sussex. The kilns and the pottery vessels being produced by them have significant similarities with the New Forest pottery industry, and the authors suggest that pottery from Roman sites situated in central and eastern Sussex, previously attributed to the New Forest industry, may require reappraisal. Three phases of Roman activity were identified, and evidence of earlier, prehistoric, activity in the area was also uncovered. Historical, documentary and place-name evidence are discussed, and the report concludes with a discussion of the industry, the distribution of its wares, and its significance in the local Roman landscape. Specialist reports and appendices include |
