Record Details

Summary

In 1956-1961 a series of excavations revealed a pottery industry at Rossington Bridge. Eight kilns were excavated and the presence of a further 15 were confirmed by the use of geophysical survey.

Monument Type(s):

• POTTERY KILN (Roman - 141 AD to 350 AD)

Associated Finds:

Protected Status:

• Scheduled Monument () 1004787: Roman Potteries 270m N Rossington Bridge

Full Description

<1> The eight excavated kilns at Rossington Bridge and material from the waster heaps provides a sample of production and wastage in a site with at least fifteenth other unexcavated kilns and ancillary structures lying either side of the Roman road. The bulk of the finds clearly belong to the main period of activity on the site during the mid-second century when the mortarium potter Sarrius and his associates were involved in the production of mortaria, 'parisian' fine wares, black burnished and grey wares intended at least partly for the military markets on the Northern frontier. Earlier material is largely associated with roadside settlement, initially around the Torne river crossing north of the Claudio-Neronian vex illation fortress, although the scatter of human bone in the water main trench may reflect a disturbed pre-Roman burial, to which a number of other finds may also belong. Occupation continued along the roadside through the third century and probably into the fourth. Pottery production, however, appears to be largely restricted to the Antoine period, although a number of types imply production at least into the early years of the third century.

<3> In 1956 a water main trench between pumping station and north bank of river Torne produced large quantities of Roman Pottery. Excavations by Doncaster Museum in 1957-61 established a presence of an extensive kiln and settlement site (Component 2) on the north bank of the river at a Roman road crossing. 5 kilns were excavated showing industry to have been in production during the 2nd and possibly early 3rd century. Stamped Mortaria indicate presence of potters SARRIVS, SETIBOCIVS, and SECUNDVA. Wide range of occupation debris including leather and wood preserved in peat in the southern reaches of the site close to the river. Proton Magnetometer surveys by Oxford and Cambridge universities proved the existence of further kilns on the plateau above the river. Further geophysical work by Doncaster Museum 1963-4 using proton gradiometer raised number of known kilns to 11. Some finds exhibited at Doncaster Museum. Excavated by J. R. Lidster.
References: O.S. Card <4>, The Doncaster District An Archaeological Survey (1977) J R Magilton p.63 <5>, The Roman Pottery Industries of South Yorkshire P Buckland et al Britannia Vol. XI (1980) <1>

<6> More information from NMR record SK 69 NW 11 (see Pastscape website).

<1> PC Buckland, KF Hartley and V Rigby, 2001, The Roman Pottery Kilns at Rossington Bridge Excavations 1956-1961, Abstract (Monograph). SSY350.

<2> Buckland, P.C., Magilton, J.R. & Dolby, M.J., 1980, The Roman Pottery Industries of South Yorkshire. Britannia, Vol. 11, 145-164. (Article in serial). SSY351.

<3> South Yorkshire Archaeology Service, c1974-c2003, SMR Card (Unpublished document). SSY213.

<4> Ordnance Survey, See Card, Ordnance Survey Index Card (Index). SSY964.

<5> Magilton, J.R., 1977, The Doncaster District: An Archaeological Survey (Monograph). SSY96.

<6> National Monuments Record, National Monuments Record Pastscape Database (Web Resource). SSY1877.

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