Monument record 435/4 - Kimberley Drive/Dundonald Avenue pottery kilns

In 1900 and 1903, a group of 3 Roman pottery kilns was found. Kiln 1 was found accidentally in a sandpit in 1900 and recorded by Thomas May. Thompson suggests the kiln was of the up-draught type and oval in plan, with a clay floor pierced with vent-holes and a temporary domed roof . The floor was supported by 2 parallel clay walls forming 3 flues. Kiln 2 was smaller and more circular and as its wall merged with Kiln 1, it may have operated simultaneously, but from opposite ends.The floor of kiln 2 was supported by a round cental pedestal' pierced by 9 vent holes. The top opening was only 2 ft in diam. Kiln 3 was 3.5 ft from Kiln 2 and of smilar type. Much pottery recovered from the kilns. Fabric is soft in texture and orange or pink in colour. Both Trajanic/Hadrianic and Hadrianic/Antonine forms are represented and the kilns operated during the period 90-160 AD. 4 mortaria stamps recovered and a denarius of Antoninus Pius was recovered from the filling of the stake-hole pit of Kiln 2 (1). Kilns located beneath the west side of Kimberley Drive., a little north of Dundonald Avenue (2).

<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, /78-79 (Book). SCH2878.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, 1976 SJ68 NW5 (Index). SCH2487.

<3> May T, 1904, Warrington's Roman Remains (Book). SCH3693.