Find Spot record 2774 - Collection of tobacco pipe bowls.

Large collection of clay pipe bowls (c.3000) from this and the adjoining field. Predominantly 17th century date representing 70-80 different makes from Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Merseyside. 'Diversity and concentration of this material is quite outstanding'. Also some pottery and metalwork (1). The origin of this material is uncertain. The wide range of dates and makers suggests that it is not a kiln site. It is possible that the material represents either debris from an annual fair or similar event or disposal of nightsoil from Nantwich. There is no evidence from field names to support the former interpretation. The only non-agricultural name being 'brick field' (2).

<1> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Higgins, D 1991 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

<2> Liverpool University Field Archaeology Unit, 2000, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of the Proposed A500 Basford-Hough-Shavington Bypass, 15 (Client Report). SCH4362.