Site Event/Activity record ECH7234 - Research project (documentary research, geophysical survey, excavations, post excavation analysis (2014-2019) ~ Upper Brereton Park Farm Kiln Site

The Border Heritage and Archaeology Group (BHAG) undertook an archaeological evaluation and post excavation analysis over six seasons, 2014-2019, on a kiln site at Brereton Park, Cheshire. The kiln (Kiln 1) had been partially excavated in the 1980s by J.Rutter (Grosvenor Museum), helped by local volunteers (see ECH2875). The aims of the excavations were to re-investigate the 1980s kiln trench, to define the dating and extent of the kiln 1 site, also to identify any associated structures and features that may demonstrate the processes taking place at this site in the 13th/14th century. The excavations formed part of a wider programme of investigation into the site which included study of mapped evidence, Lidar imaging, aerial photographs, documentary sources, also geophysical survey (see below). The geophysical survey was conducted by Wirral Archaeology in 2015-16 using a Bartington Grad 601/1 magnetometer, using grids of various sizes. A zig-zag pattern was followed at one metre intervals, and the results downloaded using Snuffler software. The survey revealed at pattern of results that shows a network of field drains. This was later confirmed by two small test pits over the survey anomalies. The type of field drain recovered was dated to the 19th century. No other features were identified in this section of the field. A further smaller area was investigated to the north of Kiln 1 site. Trial areas were tested in 2015 in this area that did show features and large anomalies that are possibly associated with the kiln 1 site. The excavations comprised two trenches. Trench 1 re-investigated the 1980s trench and revealed the extent of Kiln 1 in its entirety; it comprised an oval structure, measuring 3.06m by 2.78m wide and defined by an outer bank still standing between 0.21m to 0.31m high. An area on the southern side of the kiln was full of pottery sherds, which when removed, exposed a black, burnt area assumed to be a flue and primary stoke hole. A second flue was identified on the northern side of the kiln. A central, circular pedestal, built mostly of firebricks, was built on top of the red clay floor. Beneath the northern extent of Kiln 1, two additional, smaller kilns (Kiln 1A/Kiln 1B) were recorded; both appear to have been built into a pit. The evidence suggests that there was a progression from smaller kilns to the larger Kiln 1 as the need for pottery vessels increased, probably post c 1250. However, as all the three kilns were covered by a the same spread of pottery wasters (context 043, see below), it suggests that the two earlier kilns were still open at the time of decommissioning of Kiln 1. The northern edge of the kiln site was buried under a bank, thrown up from a ditch, defining the boundary of Brereton Park, circa 1420 AD. Trench 2 investigated the area to the south of the kiln structures to identify possible associated structures/features. There was a large spread of kiln wasters (layer 204) to the south-west of Trench 1 lying on top of the boulder clay. Cut into the boulder clay was a number of possible post holes and fragments of wooden planking suggestive of a structure. Also, recorded were two pits containing pottery wasters (Pit A and Pit E) and a third pit (Pit B) which contained processed clay ready for pot production. The excavations in Trench 1 produced a large number of pottery sherds, in particular from context 043, which covered the entire kiln site and surrounding area, forming a spread of some 5m by 7m. It is thought that the pottery originated from a pile of wasters which was then spread over the area once the kiln became redundant. A total of 2945 fragments (46.3kg) of pottery were recovered from context 043. The majority were vessel body sherds, with large numbers of rims, bases, handles and frilled spouts, including 10 zoomorphic rams head spouts. The pottery is thought to date between the mid to late thirteenth century. Source 1 - Interim report, 2016 Source 2 - Final report, 2022 See also - Catalogue of pottery (excel listing) - library linked file