Kent Potter's Association Roman Pottery at the Museum of London

Roman Pottery excavated in London - April 2002

For the past few years Fiona Seeley has been working on a unique site in Moorgate in the City of London. Whenever new building works are proposed in the City the archaeologists are consulted. In this case the site was excavated, and the remains of several kilns were found. This was significant because until this find there was very little evidence that the Romans had produced pottery in London itself. The assumption had been that virtually all ceramics were imported, either from the continent, or from production sites to the North of London.

Fiona gave a fascinating and informative lecture about the finds. Although the dating techniques used are imprecise it appears that the site shows that pottery was being produced there from about 50AD until about 120AD. Fiona showed us some of the pots found an we were able to handle and admire them. Not being a potter herself, Fiona was also interested in our impression of the site, the pots and the techniques of firing and making.


A collection of pots from the end of the production period. These pots are made from the local red clay, but are slipped in the (proably imported) white clay to give them the white appearance apparently required for flagons."


Some of the grey pots, produced by reduction firing. Both reduction and oxidation firings were carried out at the site.


A white clay mortarium. This "roman food processor" was lined on the inner grinding surface with flakes of flint. It was stamped by the maker on the rim, and research is being carried out on the stamp marks to see if work from this maker has been found elsewhere.


This beautifully fine "London Ware" bowl is incised with decoration in imitation of applied decorations found on classic roman ware.


A remarkable pitcher. This piece was a slight second, which may explain why it remained at the production site, but was found in one piece.


This beaker - about 15cm tall - was thrown incredibly thinly and then altered in a manner which resembles similar metal vessels.