'Ipswich ware' pottery made for the first time in over 1000 years
An Anglo-Saxon kiln's been recreated
“Ipswich ware” jars and pots, which were first made 1,400 years ago in Suffolk’s county town, are being fired again in a replica Anglo-Saxon kiln.
The new project is being funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and is being led by Suffolk County Council's Archaeological Service.
It will investigate how Anglo-Saxon pottery was once made in Ipswich.
The new Anglo-Saxon Ipswich ware kiln has been built and fired by studying archaeological remains excavated from the Buttermarket in Ipswich.
Currently, only two kilns have ever been excavated in Ipswich, the other was discovered at Stoke Quay.
Ipswich ware pottery was made in the town from c. AD 680-870.
Simple, grey jars, cooking pots and pitchers were the most commonly-made items.
They were mass-produced and distributed throughout eastern England, and were some of the first of their kind in post-Roman Britain.
"A high level of skill"
Faye Minter, Suffolk County Council’s Archaeological Archives and Projects Manager, said:
“These projects are important, allowing us to test archaeological hypotheses by replicating historical methods and techniques based on evidence from excavations. This can give invaluable insight into our history - the lives, skills and industry of people who lived in the past.
“The results so far suggest that there was a high level of skill, knowledge and significant resources needed to successfully produce Ipswich ware, much more than we anticipated. There is more for us to learn and already the volunteers have come up with a plan for a second firing later this summer to test more theories."
In partnership with Hands on Heritage experimental archaeology site, and Keith Wade from the Ipswich Archaeological Trust, Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service has collaborated with volunteers and local organisations to make replica Ipswich ware pots using historical methods.
"Bringing together local people, schools and organisations over 1,000 years later"
To fire the pots a replica kiln was built in Tunstall, which took three days. In April it was set on fire over a 27-hour period, with 100 pots surviving the process.
Local volunteers from the Anglian Potters have been researching Ipswich ware pottery over the past year and conducting experiments with raw clay processing and making replica pots with children from Rushmere Hall Primary School in Ipswich.
Councillor Melanie Vigo di Gallidoro, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Protected Landscapes and Archaeology, said:
“It is wonderful to see that the finds from our local excavations and archaeology, are bringing together local people, schools and organisations over 1,000 years later.
“Not only is the project providing a better understanding of Suffolk’s important past but is giving the local community a hands-on opportunity to discover more about their heritage, connecting them to the Anglo-Saxon way of life."