Monument record 10117 - Medieval tan pits at Love Street

A number of tan pits were recorded at the corner of Foregate Street and Love Street during the construction of the Regal Cinema in 1938. In all seven pits were recorded across the site, however only one was fully explored. In all examples, they were cut down to the boulder clay and appeared contemporary with the tan pits recorded at Foregate Street (CHER 10116).

The first pit, and the only one to be completely investigated, was recorded close to the Love Street frontage. The pit was found to be squarish at the base but splaying outwards at the top to form a more rectangular shape. It had been lined with split oak boards set in a substantial oak frame. The pit was approximately 2.1m deep, 1.6m square wide and the base widening to 1.8m x 2.4m at the top. Its construction was such that no pegs or nails were required in the framework with each horizontal piece held together with tongue and groove joints. The split oak boards were pointed at the lower end and driven into the clay and averaged in thickness from 2-3cm although were probably originally thicker. The pit was filled with straw and plant material at its base with a number of pottery and leather fragments. Horn cores and roof tiles were also found.

The remaining pits were not explored in detail, however horn cores were recovered from all pits along with pottery fragments of a 14th-15th century date. In addition, Pit 3 measuring 2.43m by 1.05m, recovered several split oak boards similar to that used in Pit 1, although in this case they were found in the fill of the pit. Pit 5, measuring 3.3m long, also contained several pieces of oak boards although again evidence of disturbance was also noted. (1)

<1> Newstead, R (Prof.), 1939, Records of Archaeological Finds II-V, p108-112 (Article in Journal). SCH5702.