Excavations at Burslem, Stoke on Trent

Excavation in Burslem Market Place, Stoke-on-Trent recovered a sample of late 15th-/early 16th- century pottery from three pits. The pottery is dumped waste from the production process and includes saggars and pieces of baked-clay kiln structure. The material is overwhelmingly Midlands purple, in a restricted number of forms, mainly jars. A smaller amount of Cistercian ware, mainly flared cups, was also recovered. This assemblage provides evidence for commercial production of pottery in Stoke-on-Trent at a much earlier date than previously thought. The assemblage is compared with those from contemporary production centres and the role of pottery as a consumer item at this time (the medieval/early modern transition) is considered.