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Post-Roman Pottery from Excavations

in Alton, Hampshire
Ben Jervis Archaeological Report 27
By Ben Jervis MA PIFA.

INTRODUCTION
This report summarises and characterises the pottery from a number of excavations in the east
Hampshire town of Alton. The bulk of the material comes from rescue excavations carried out in the
1970’s under the auspices of the Alton Archaeological Committee, directed by Martin Millet. The
largest assemblage discussed here, from the excavations at Johnson’s Corner (Millet 1983), has
already been published on microfiche, but not quantified and therefore is reassessed here. Pottery
from later excavations carried out by Hampshire Archaeology, Southern Archaeological Services and
Chris Currie Consultancy is also considered here.

Only one quantified medieval assemblage has been published from Alton (Blinkhorn and Brown
2007), however much of the pottery was ‘lumped’ into larger groups than those defined here,
meaning that comparison with this assemblage cannot be carried out completely, especially as the
archive has not yet been deposited with Hampshire Museums Service. This report will outline the
pottery types present in regard to fabric, form and decoration, before discussing the individual
assemblages. It should be noted that much of the pottery was excavated from layers and as such is
fragmented and mixed, making secure dating difficult.

The pottery was studied by the author using a x10 binocular microscope and recorded using the
Hampshire pottery type series, developed whilst the analysis was undertaken. Medieval (post-1500)
pottery was recorded in depth, whilst post medieval pottery was only assessed, in line with the
authors doctoral research. Forms were recorded using the Medieval Pottery Research Group’s Guide
to Medieval Ceramic forms and quantification was carried out by sherd count, weight, maximum
number of vessels and rim diameter/percent.

THE POTTERY
Pottery is present from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 19th century, however the bulk of the material
dates from the later medieval period (14th-15th centuries). A range of locally produced wares are
present as well as products of known production centres in Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex.

Anglo-Saxon Pottery

There are a total of 111 sherds of Anglo-Saxon pottery from the sites considered here, although the
only Anglo-Saxon groups came from the upper fills of a Roman ditch at Amery House. Anglo-Saxon
pottery of a similar type has also been recovered from the excavations at Neatham and at 18-20
High St (Blinkhorn and Brown 2007, 115). The study of the Anglo-Saxon pottery from the town would
benefit from comparison with the nearby cemetery at Mount Pleasant (Evison 1988).

Organic Tempered Wares


The majority of the wares are organic tempered types, common in Anglo-Saxon assemblages across
Hampshire and West Sussex, similar wares being present, for example, at Itchen Abbas (Fasham and
Whinney 1991), Hamwic (Timby 1988) and Romsey. They are typically believed to date from the 6th-
8th centuries. Twenty eight of the sherds are the simplest fabric, termed Mid-Saxon Organic
Tempered Ware, which have a fine matrix and common voids from burnt out organic temper.
Nineteen sherds are present with a sandier matrix, possibly with added sand temper, and these have
been termed Mid-Saxon Organic Tempered Ware with Sand. Lesser quantities have flint and/or chalk
inclusions. It is unclear whether these inclusions were added as temper, perhaps marking a
transition from the organic tempered wares of the mid-Saxon period to the rock tempered wares of
the later Saxon period, or whether these were naturally inclusions present in the local downland
clays.

A maximum of 24 vessels are present amongst the Organic Tempered Wares. Five of these are jars,
the only rim form present is the simple, everted rim with a rounded profile, and a single sagging or
rounded base is also present. Three sherds (1 vessel) is burnished and another sherd has been
wiped.

Chalk Tempered Wares

There are 47 sherds (maximum 33 vessels) of Chalk Tempered Ware. This ware probably post-dates
the Organic Tempered Wares, on the basis of comparison with elsewhere, and may continue in
currency until the post-conquest period. Based on comparison with Chichester (Jervis 2009),
Southampton (Brown 1994) and Winchester (Holmes and Matthews forthcoming) however, it
appears to principally be a late Saxon type. Similar chalk tempered fabrics also occur in the
assemblage from the nearby Anglo-Saxon site at Chalton. Three fabrics are present in the
assemblage:

Fabric C1 is a reduced fabric with a sandy matrix. There are abundant, rounded chalk fragments in various
sizes.

Fabric MQc4 is unevenly fired and has a sandy matrix with sparse, medium sized, sub-rounded quartz grains
and sparse, rounded chalk fragments of similar size.

Fabric MQc5 is grey/buff throughout, with common chalk fragments of various shape and common sub-
rounded quartz grains.

Eight of the sherds (and 8 vessels) could be identified as coming from jars. All of the rim forms
present are simple or slightly thickened and everted, with rounded and straight edged profiles being
present. A single example of a sagging base is present and one sherd is burnished.

Coarse Flint Tempered Ware

A single sherd of a coarse flint tempered ware was identified in the assemblage. Flint tempered
wares are present in a sunken featured build of Saxon date at Neatham and similar flint tempered
wares are present at Chalton. Coarse flint tempered wares of this type are dated to the mid-Saxon
period at Hamwic (Timby 1988) and similar wares are present dating in deposits of this period at
sites on the West Sussex coastal plain (Jervis 2009). The fabric (F5) is a grey sandy ware with
abundant, angular, patinated flint fragments. It could possibly be a residual prehistoric sherd.

Micaceous Sandy Ware


There are 3 sherds of a micaceous sandy ware, all residual in medieval layers, but suggested to be of
Anglo-Saxon date on purely qualitative grounds. The fabric is black throughout with common, fine
sized quartz grains, and it is micaceous (fabric FQmic3). Similar sandy wares are present in the
assemblage at Chalton.

Summary

The assemblage of Anglo-Saxon pottery is small and the types present are well known in more
secure contexts elsewhere in east Hampshire and West Sussex. It is clear however, that there was
Anglo-Saxon occupation in the area of the town, at least at Amery House, if not in other areas.

Early Medieval Pottery (c11th Century-early 14th Century)

This period must remain broad at the moment, due to an absence of secure deposits of this date.
The sherds assigned to this period are often residual and can only be assigned to this phase on the
basis of parallels with other sites in Hampshire. There are a few types present of known date.
Wessex Coarsewares, for example, date from the 12th-14th centuries in east Hampshire and Kennet
Valley B Wares date to the 13th-14th centuries in north Hampshire. Sherds of Surrey Whiteware,
Laverstock-type Ware and South Hampshire Redware can be dated to the 13th-14th centuries. The
wares can be loosely divided into coarsewares and sandy wares.

Coarsewares

A range of probably locally produced coarsewares are present. The most common are Micaceous
Coarse Sandy Ware, but Wessex Coarseware, Flint and Sand Tempered Wares and Kennet Valley B
wares are also present.

Wessex Coarseware

These coarse sandy wares are common in west Hampshire, but appear to also have been consumed
across north Hampshire in smaller quantities, especially in areas where Kennet Valley wares were
not consumed in large quantities, for example at Odiham Castle . They have been differentiated here
from the Micaceous Coarse Sandy Wares on the basis that they are not micaceous, although these
may be a localised variant within this tradition. They are generally believed to have been produced
from the 12th-14th centuries, based on parallels from east Wiltshire (e.g. Laverstock; Musty et al
1969) and west Hampshire (e.g. Romsey). These fabrics fit into Blinkhorn’s Fabric 10, which also
includes the Micaceous Coarse Sandy Wares and the potentially later Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware:

Fabric MQ19 varies is colour from black to orange. Vessels are generally hand built. Inclusions consist of
abundant sub-angular/sub-rounded, medium sized quartz which is densely packed.

Fabric MQarg4 has bright orange surfaces with a light grey core. There are common-abundant sub-rounded,
medium sized, white quartz grains with occasional iron rich clay pellets.

The 27 sherds present represent a maximum of 26 vessels, with bowls, a jar, jugs and tripod pitchers
all being present. Three bowls are present, one with an inturned hammerhead rim and two with
inturned, thickened rims with a rounded profile. Both of these forms are well known in Wessex
Coarsewares from across the county. One jar is present, with an everted, hammerhead rim. One jug
has a clubbed rim, and one has a simple, rounded form, whereas the tripod pitcher has been
identified on the basis of an applied foot. One of the bowls and one of the jugs have a clear, partial
exterior glaze. The jug also has thumb impressed decoration. Three undiagnostic body sherds also
have an exterior clear glaze, whilst one has an interior glaze. One sherd has an exterior dark green
glaze. One of the bowl rims is stabbed (as Blinkhorn 2007 no. AL10). Amongst the glazed,
undiagnostic sherds there are single examples with combed, rouletted and applied strip decoration.,
These are likely to be from jugs or tripod pitchers. One unglazed sherd is scratch marked and is likely
to be from a jar. The types present are typical of Wessex Coarsewares from across the county and
there is no reason to suggest a different date for these wares.

Flint and Sand Tempered Ware (inc. Kennet Valley Group A?)

There are 83 sherds, representing a maximum of 77 vessels, of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware
present in the assemblage. Again, this has largely been dated based on comparison with elsewhere.
Kennet Valley Group A wares from south Berkshire and north Hampshire date to the 11 th-12th
centuries (Vince et al 1997) and it is likely that the tradition has its roots in the late Saxon period.
Similar Flint and Sand Tempered wares are present in assemblages in Chichester (Jervis 2008),
Southampton (Brown 1994) and Winchester (Holmes and Matthews forthcoming), for example. Four
fabrics are present within this group:

Fabric FMQ14 is reduced throughout. It is a relatively fine sandy ware with common medium sized, sub-
rounded quartz grains and occasional large, patinated, flint fragments. Occasional chalk fragments. It is slightly
micaceous.

Fabric FMQ15 has slightly pinkish surfaces with a grey core. There is a sandy matrix with sparse-common sub-
rounded, medium sized quartz, with common, fine flint fragments which are generally white in colour.

Fabric FMQ16 is oxidised throughout. It is a sandy ware with sparse, sub-rounded, medium sized, quartz
inclusions and common flint fragments, which are generally black in colour, with occasional sub-rounded chalk
fragments. It is micaceous.

Fabric FMQ17 has oxidised surfaces with a grey core. The texture is very coarse. Inclusions consist of sparse
medium sized, sub-rounded quartz grains and common larger, sub-rounded and sub-angular flint fragments,
which are generally white in colour.

The micaceous nature of fabrics FMQ14 and FMQ16 suggests that these are likely to be local
products. Neither FMQ15 or FMQ17 can be directly related to the Kennet Valley, but can perhaps be
considered to be part of a wider tradition of early medieval Flint and Sand Tempered Wares across
Hampshire, between the 10th-12th centuries.

The only vessel forms identified are jars, generally with simple everted rims, either with a rounded
or straight-edged profile. There are also 3 examples of thickened everted rims with a rounded profile
and one vessel with a clubbed rim. No bases were present. All of the sherds are unglazed and
undecorated.

Early Medieval Fine Sandy Ware

There is a single sherd of a fine sandy ware, probably of early medieval date. This is a sandy ware
with common-abundant sub-rounded quartz grains (FQ1).

Flint and Chalk Tempered Wares (Kennet Valley B?)


There are 21 sherds of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware, representing a maximum of 18 vessels.
Blinkhorn and Brown (2007) identified a similar flint and chalk tempered ware (fabric F11), which he
has tentatively dated to the 13th-14th century. This corresponds with the flint and chalk tempered
Kennet Valley B Wares which are common in North Hampshire in this period. Most of the sherds
here were recovered from topsoil or insecure layers of broad medieval date. A single fabric is
present:

Fabric MQcf7 is reduced throughout, with pimply surfaces. Inclusions consist of common large, rounded chalk
fragments with less sparse-common sub-rounded, medium sized quartz and angular flint fragments.

Only three vessels could be positively identified, 1 bowl and 2 jars. The bowl has an inturned
hammerhead rim and one of the jars has a thickened, rounded, everted rim. The sherds are all
unglazed and undecorated.

Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware

This ware has tentatively been dated to this period because its coarse nature means it bares some
similarity to the Wessex Coarsewares. Sherds are also very fragmented, suggesting that many are
residual in the excavated later deposits. This fabric equates to Blinkhorn and Brown’s (2007) fabric
10, but has been subdivided. The vessels are generally wheel made, or wheel finished, with a coarse,
micaceous sand matrix. Similar wares have been identified further south, at Liss and Petersfield.
Blinkhorn and Brown (2007, 121) suggests that these may date to the 12th-14th century on the basis
of comparison with scratch marked wares from sites such as Laverstock, although elements of the
form and decoration are similar to 14th century products of the Bentley kiln (Barton and Brears
1976). The fabric does not match samples of the kiln waste however. The dating of these wares must
remain vague, but they do appear to date to the earlier part of the medieval period.

MQmic2 is an oxidised ware with orange surfaces and a buff core. There are common sub-rounded and sub-
angular, medium sized quartz grains, with micaceous surfaces.

MQmic4 is a pimply micaceous sandy ware with common, medium sized, sub-rounded quartz inclusions. The
surfaces are oxidised to buff, the core is grey.

MQmic5 is a reduced version of fabric MQmic4.

A total of 510 sherds (maximum 467 vessels) are present. Seven bowls, 43 jars, 3 jugs and a curfew
have been identified. The reason for the large number of sherds which could not be assigned to
specific forms is largely due to the very fragmented nature of the assemblages. The jars principally
have simple or slightly thickened everted rims with rounded and straight edged forms being present
in roughly equal quantities. Two examples have an internal bead. Jars are also present with
hammerhead and clubbed rims. Bowls are present with a range of rim forms, with clubbed,
hammerhead and simple forms present, both everted and inturned forms being present. One jug is
present, with a thickened, straight-edged, simple rim. Four sagging jar bases are present and 2
thumbed jug bases are present. Vessels are rarely glazed. One bowl has an interior bright green
glaze and another has a clear interior and exterior glaze. One jar has a partial, clear, interior glaze
and a jug has a clear, interior glaze. Eighteen vessels have a clear, exterior glaze, 3 have a clear
interior glaze and 2 have an interior and exterior clear glaze. One of the bowl rims has been stabbed.
One jar is combed and 3 are scratch marked, with a further 3 having been wiped. A number of
sherds of unidentified forms are also decorated. Two sherds are combed, one is burnished and 1
exhibits rilling. The most common decorative forms/surface treatments are scratch marking (max 4
vessels) and wiping (max 46 vessels). The thumbed cordons present on Blinkhorn’s fabric 10 vessels
are not present and a wider range of decorative forms have been identified here. It is unfortunate
that the assemblages are so fragmented, as this means it is not possible to produce as detailed a
type series as is desirable.

Glazed Sandy Wares

Glazed sandy wares are not common in the assemblage. The most common wares are Surrey
Whitewares, probably of Kingston-type. There are 11 sherds of a Whiteware with Flint Temper which
may also be a Surrey type. There are 18 sherds of Medieval Sandy Ware, 2 sherds of an Iron Rich
Sandy Ware and single sherds of South Hampshire Redware and Laverstock-type Ware. There are
also possible imported sherds, of Saintonge Whiteware and a French whiteware.

Surrey Whiteware

Kingston-type Ware has been defined by Pearce and Vince (1988) and has been found previously in
Alton (Blinkhorn and Brown 2007). It dates from the 13th-15th centuries. The fabric is buff in colour
with abundant, well sorted quartz inclusions and iron rich compounds, with occasional flint and mica
(Pearce and Vince 1988, 9). Nine of these sherds (7 vessels) are from jugs. One rim is present, it is
inturned, with a slight bead (e.g. Pearce and Vince 1988 no. 60). There is also a rod handle and
thumbed flat bases. Examples with obtuse (e.g. Pearce and Vince no. 84) and acute (e.g. Pearce and
Vince 1988 no. 36) basal angles are present. The jugs generally have an exterior bright green glaze,
although there are 5 sherds with a clear glaze and a small quantity with partial internal glazes. The
only decoration present is slashing on the rod handle.

South Hampshire Redware

A single small sherd of South Hampshire Redware is present (see Brown 2002). A small number of
sherds of this type were also identified in Alton by Blinkhorn (2007, 129). Alton does not seem to
have been a major consumer of these wares, with supply instead principally coming from the Surrey
industries.

Laverstock-type Ware

A single large sherd of Laverstock-type Ware, a hard, fine whiteware produced at Laverstock, near
Salisbury, was present (see Musty et al 1969). The sherd is from a bowl with a flanged rim.

Whiteware with Flint Temper

Eleven sherds (maximum 9 vessels) are present in a whiteware with flint temper. This may also be a
Surrey product:

Fabric FEQ11 is buff throughout, with a coarse, sandy matrix. There are common-abundant, sub-rounded, iron
stained quartz inclusions, with occasional white flint inclusions.

One sherd is from a jug and is decorated with applied pellets. Sherds generally have an exterior
bright green glaze, although examples with clear or dark green glaze are also present. The fabric of
these wares is similar to that of early Surrey Ware (Vince 1991, 73), which dates to the 12 th century,
however vessels in this ware in London are not glazed.
Iron Rich Sandy Ware
There are 3 sherds of iron rich sandy ware, fitting into Blinkhorn’s (2007) fabric group 13. The sherds
are small and could not be assigned to a particular vessel form. The fabrics can be described as
follows:

Fabric MQfe6 has oxidised surfaces with a grey core. There are common medium sized, sub-rounded quartz
grains and larger, sub-rounded pieces of black iron ore.

Fabric MQfe15 has pinkish buff surfaces with a lighter buff core. Inclusions consist of common, medium sized,
sub-rounded quartz grains, some of which are pinkish in colour. There are sparse-common pieces of red iron
ore. This may relate to South Hampshire Redware.

Medieval Sandy Ware

There are 18 sherds of a medieval sandy ware with common quartz inclusions, around half of which
are iron stained (fabric MQfeq6). Amongst these sherds are 2 fragments from jars. Two sherds are
glazed, one with an interior bright green glaze and one with an exterior clear glaze. One sherd was
wiped. The iron stained quartz suggests that this was a local product. One large sherd was recovered
from a pit of 13th-14th century date excavated at the Police Station site.

Imported Wares

There is a single large sherd of a fine, slightly micaceous whiteware with a bright green exterior
glaze, probably a sherd of Saintonge Whiteware. A further small fine whiteware sherd, possibly of
French origin, was recovered from the Johnson’s Corner excavations. These are the first medieval
imports to have been identified in Alton.

Conclusions

This period is difficult to define on temporal grounds due to the lack of secure deposits, but the
types present are typical of 12th-14th century pottery in Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey. Local
potters appear to have produced a long lived coarse sandy ware in the Wessex tradition, and small
quantities of similar wares are likely to have been brought in from further afield. The Surrey
Whiteware industries were the major supplier of glazed sandy wares, but small quantities of pottery
from the south and west also reached Alton. It is unclear whether the general low quantity of glazed
sandy wares has a functional explanation, or whether this relates more to the absence of secure
deposits dating from this period.

The Later Medieval Period (14th-15th Centuries)

In contrast to the earlier phases, there are several pit groups dating to this phase. The main dating
evidence is the presence of various Surrey wares, principally Coarse Border Ware, which dates to the
late 14th-15th centuries and the slightly later Tudor Green and Border Wares. Other wares of known
type are present dating to this phase, Bentley-type Wares, produced near Alton in the 14th century,
and West Sussex Wares, dating from the 14th-15th centuries. There are also a range of Transitional
Sandy Wares, dating from the 15th-early 16th centuries.

Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware

This is a finer version of the Micaceous Coarse Sandy Wares and may date slightly later. It is a very
fine, wheelthrown ware, which relates to Blinkhorn and Brown’s (2007) fabric 12. There are 3 fabrics
present:
Fabric FQmic1 is a well fired late medieval sandy ware with buff surfaces and a grey core. The matrix is sandy
and micaceous, and there are occasional larger, rounded quartz grains.

Fabric FQmic2 is a finer version of MQmic4/MQmic5. Vessels have well defined throwing marks.

Fabric MQmicarg1 is a sandy ware with oxidised (buff) surfaces and a light grey core. There are sparse-
common, medium sized, sub-rounded quartz grains with occasional iron rich clay pellets. The fabric is
micaceous,

Sherds are generally very fragmented, and for this reason few sherds could be assigned to particular
vessel forms. There are 3 bowls, 18 jars and 3 jugs. There are also 80 undiagnostic sherds,
representing a maximum of 50 vessels. Two of the bowls have flanged rims. One jar has a rounded
clubbed rim, with an everted rim, 12 have hammerhead, everted rims and there are also examples
of simple and slightly thickened rims. One sagging jar base is present and there is one thumbed jug
base. Sherds are rarely glazed. One bowl has a clear, interior glaze and one jar has an exterior clear
glaze. Three jars have thumbed applied strip decoration. Two examples are painted, in the West
Sussex tradition (see Barton 1969, 122). Vessels of similar form were produced at the Bentley kiln
(Barton and Brears 1975), but the fabric does not match with samples from the kiln site.

Late Medieval Organic Tempered Sandy Ware

A single late medieval sherd with organic temper is present. This type of pottery has been identified
in Southampton (Brown 2002) and at sites in west Hampshire (Jervis forthcoming). The sherd is
undiagnostic. The fabric (FQorg2) is a well fired sandy ware with oxidised surfaces and a grey core.
There are common fine-medium sized, sub-rounded quartz grains, some of which are slightly pink in
colour and evidence of burnt out organic material.

Late Medieval Sandy Ware with Chalk

There are 2 sherds of a well fired, oxidised sandy ware with chalk inclusions. A similar ware has been
termed as a transitional sandy ware by Blinkhorn (2007; fabric F30). One of the sherds is a flat base.
The fabric (FQc2) is orange throughout with common-abundant fine quartz and very occasional chalk
fragments.

Micaceous Redware/Wessex Redware

These wares are by far the most common in the assemblage. Based on their association in pit groups
with Coarse Border Ware they can be date to the late 14th-15th centuries. Wessex Redware is
common in south and west Hampshire. It is a fairly well fired oxidised ware, with a grey core which
has been defined in Christchurch (Thomson et al 1983). A finer version is more common at sites in
east Hampshire, and this is what occurs here. Micaceous Redware is seemingly a localised version of
this ware, being similar to the typical Wessex Redware fabrics but with a relatively high mica
content. The fabrics are as follows:

Fabric FQ14 (Wessex Redware) has oxidised surfaces with a reduced core. There are common, fine sized, sub-
rounded quartz grains.

Fabric MQmic6 (Micaceous Redware) is oxidised, with bright orange surfaces with a dark grey core. Inclusions
consist of common, medium sized, sub-rounded quartz grains. The surfaces in particular are micaceous.
There are 565 sherds of Micaceous Redware, representing a maximum of 539 vessels. The majority
of sherds are very fragmentary and cannot be assigned to particular vessel forms. Most sherds are
from jars, jugs and dripping pans, with bowls, bunghole pitchers and a pipkin also being present. The
bowls generally have inturned rims, either of simple or thickened form and generally with a straight
edged profile. There are 2 examples with hammerhead rims. There are few jar rims, the forms are
generally simple or thickened and everted, although there are 2 examples of lid seated forms. The
jugs also typically have simple rims. This general homogeneity in formal components is fairly typical
of later medieval pottery in Hampshire, whereby there are a wider range of vessels present than in
earlier periods, but that these have more standardised formal components. Bases are generally flat,
but most of the jug sherds have thumbed bases, with bases with both acute and obtuse basal angles
being present. Vessels are generally unglazed or partially glazed. Jars and bowls are more commonly
glazed on the interior and jugs on the exterior. The majority of sherds of undiagnostic form have a
clear, exterior glaze. Vessels are scarcely decorated with combing being the most common type.
Some vessels are wiped and there are also examples with slipped decoration, rilling, stabbing and
there are 2 handles which have been slashed.

Micaceous Redware fits into a south Hampshire tradition of fairly plain, utilitarian well fired
earthenwares which are scarcely decorated and only partially glazed, present in a range of
standardised, utilitarian forms. It can comfortably be dated to the late 14th-15th centuries.

Coarse Border Ware

This ware, defined by Pearce and Vince (1988) is the most common later medieval sandy ware. It is
characterised by common-abundant quartz grains set into a fine matrix, with occasional flint
inclusions. It has a coarser texture than the earlier Surrey Whitewares. There are a limited range of
vessel forms, a maximum of 3 bowls, 6 jars and 9 jugs. Two of the bowls have the typical flanged
rims, well known on Coarse Border Ware bowls (e.g. Pearce and Vince 1988, no. 501), one has a
simple, rounded, everted rim. The jars generally have characteristic lid seated rims (e.g. Pearce and
Vince 1988, no. 476) whilst the jugs have simple, or slightly developed, everted rims. Jug bases are
generally flat, with an acute basal angle and no thumbing or other embellishment. They are likely to
be from conical jugs (e.g. Pearce and Vince 1988, no. 425). Only strap handles are present. Vessels
typically have a clear or bright green exterior, partial glaze. Very few sherds have an interior glaze,
and where this does occur it is likely to be the result of accidental application, for example through
dripping during firing. Seven jug sherds have slipped decoration under the glaze. All of the forms
present are well known in Coarse Border Ware in London and elsewhere.

Bentley-type Ware

These sherds are in fabrics which match samples from the kiln at Bentley (Barton and Brears 1975).
There are 39 sherds, representing a maximum of 33 vessels, with jugs being the most common, with
a maximum of 11 vessels being present. These wares have been dated by Barton and Brears (1975)
to the 14th century, on the basis of sherds recovered from excavations. Three fabrics have been
defined:

Fabric BENT1 has pinkish-orange surfaces and a grey core. Surfaces are fairly smooth and the fabric is quite
soft. There are common sub-rounded quartz inclusions with occasional iron rich clay pellets and chalk/shell
fragments.
Fabric BENT2 has oxidised (buff) surfaces with a grey core. Harder than BENT1. The only visible inclusions are
common, sub-rounded, medium sized quartz grains, some of which are slightly pink in colour and occasional
rounded pieces of red iron ore.

Fabric BENT3 has pinkish surfaces and a grey core. Inclusions consist of common, medium sized, sub-angular
and sub-rounded quartz grains.

Only 1 jug rim is present, a clubbed form (e.g. Barton and Brears 1975 no. 11). There are 2 thumbed
jug bases and 3 strap handles. Sherds generally have an exterior clear or dark green glaze and there
are examples of combed decoration, the use of a slip under the glaze and 1 strap handle which has
been slashed. The general absence of Bentley wares within Alton is surprising and could suggest that
the centre was fairly short lived, in the face of competition from West Sussex Ware and the Surrey
Whiteware/Border Ware industries.

West Sussex Ware

West Sussex Ware has previously been identified in Alton by Barton (1969). A total of 15 sherds have
been identified, representing a maximum of 13 vessels. Most sherds are undiagnostic, but are
probably from jugs. One example has a painted slip under the glaze. Vessels typically have an
exterior clear or dark green glaze. Two fabrics are present:

Fabric FEQ10 is fairly well fired, with buff surfaces and a grey core. The fabric has a fine, sandy matrix, with
common, rounded, iron stained quartz.

Fabric MQfe14 has buff surfaces with a grey core. There are common, fine-medium sized, sub-rounded quartz
with occasional black iron ore. Possibly West Sussex Ware.

Transitional Sandy Ware

These fine, well fired, wheelthrown sandy wares have been previously identified in Alton (Blinkhorn
and Brown 2007) and are well known across southern Hampshire in particular, as well as in West
Sussex. In Southampton they are termed Late Well Fired Sandy Ware (Brown 2002). Six fabrics have
been identified:

Fabric FEQ12 has a very fine matrix, with buff surfaces with a light grey core. Inclusions consist of very sparse,
sub-rounded, iron stained, medium sized quartz.

Fabric FQ32 has a bright orange external surface and grey interior surface. No visible inclusions, but a sandy
matrix.

Fabric FQmic4 is a fine, well fired greyware with sparse, fine quartz inclusions. Slightly micaceous.

Fabric MQ21 is a well fired sandy ware with buff surfaces and a grey core. The only inclusions are sparse-
common, medium sized, sub-rounded quartz grains.

Fabric PM-MQ6

A total of 240 sherds are present, representing a maximum of 201 vessels. There are 2 bowls
(including a socketed example), 3 jars, 8 jug and a skillet. One jar has a simple, upright rim and
another has an everted, hammerhead rim. The jugs have rounded, everted rims. One of the jugs has
a thumbed base. There are 4 examples of strap handles, probably from jugs. Sherds are rarely
glazed. Of the small quantity of glazed wares, interior and exterior glazes are present in roughly
equal quantities, with clear glazes being most common. Vessels are very rarely decorated, there are
2 slashed handles, 1 example is combed and another painted.

Summary

The pottery of this period can be more closely dated than the earlier material largely thanks to the
presence of pit groups at Johnson’s Corner. There are also types of known date, principally Coarse
Border Ware, but also small quantities of West Sussex Ware and Bentley-type Ware. The locally
produced Micaceous Redware and Transitional Sandy Ware fit into a widespread late medieval
tradition and are particularly distinctive thanks to their consistent, high firing and their standardised
forms.

Post Medieval Pottery: An Assessment

The post medieval pottery was only assessed, as this does not form part of the author’s PhD study,
however it was deemed a worthwhile exercise to create a quantified record of the post medieval
pottery for future use. The most common earthenware is Post Medieval Redware, of the type
produced at centres such as Fareham, Farnham and Bishop’s Waltham. A number of slip decorated
dishes are present along with a range of other more plainly decorated forms including bowls, jars,
jugs and chafing dishes. Surrey products, particularly Border Ware, are also common with a similar
range of products being available. It seems that the Surrey/Hampshire border industries were the
main source of pottery to Alton in the post medieval period, but there are also a small number of
sherds of Verwood-type, Brown and Black glazed wares and miscellaneous Post Medieval Sandy
Wares.

Few imports were recognised, the only types present being Rhenish stonewares, with small
quantities of Raeren, Frechen and Westerwald type all being present. There are a small number of
slipware products, 1 sherd of Bristol-Staffordshire type and 10 sherds of an unidentified buff bodied
slipware, possibly a Surrey product.

There is a great deal of industrial period pottery, principally recovered from layers at Johnson’s
Corner. These are worthy of further analysis. The types present consist of Tin Glazed Ware, Cream-
and Pearlwares, Porcelain, Refined Earthenwares and English Stoneware. There is a great deal of
post medieval pottery. Whilst much is from insecure contexts, it is definitely worth further study,
probably as a large group, rather than as individual assemblages.

THE SITES
The pottery from each site will be generally discussed by site, with some comment made on the
condition of the assemblages, as well as the types present.

27 High Street

A small group of early medieval pottery was recovered during building activity. There are 32 sherds,
27 of which are of Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware, representing a maximum of 25 vessels. There are
also 3 sherds of Kennet Valley B Ware and single sherds of Wessex Coarseware and Flint and Sand
Tempered Ware. Sherds are generally fairly large. It is unclear if every sherd was recovered from the
site, but this would seem to be a group of 13th century date.

30 High Street
Excavations carried out by Hampshire Archaeology recovered a series of layers, principally of post
medieval date. Most of the medieval pottery appears to be residual in later deposits. This is
reflected by the low average sherd weight of the early medieval pottery, the most common type of
which is Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware. The majority of the pottery is of late medieval or post
medieval date, with larger sherds of Micaceous Redware, Border Ware and Post Medieval Redware
being present.

37 High Street

Excavations by Chris Currie Consultancy recovered a small number of features of medieval date.
Features typically contained only small quantities of pottery. The assemblage consists of only 35
sherds, with most being of early medieval date. Feature 41 contained an early medieval group,
consisting of 2 moderately sized sherds of Flint and Sandy Tempered Ware, 2 large sherds of
Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware and a small sherd of South Hampshire Redware. Feature 60
contained a later medieval group, consisting of 11 sherds of Micaceous Redware and a sherd of
Coarse Border Ware.

Amery House

The excavations at Amery House were carried out by The Trust for Wessex Archaeology. A series of
layers, principally related to gravel terracing during the later medieval and post medieval period,
were excavated. A Roman ditch was also identified, the upper fill of which contained a group of
Saxon pottery. A post medieval horse burial was also excavated. The pottery is generally very
fragmented, as is to be expected from a site where pottery was generally recovered from layers.
Small sherds of Anglo-Saxon pottery were recovered throughout the sequence, ditch fill 87 and
possibly layer 70 contained Anglo-Saxon assemblages. The early medieval pottery is extremely
fragmented and a typical range of wares are present, with Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware
dominating. There are larger sherds of Post Medieval pottery, suggesting that this was the main
period of deposition at the site. As is typical in Alton, Post Medieval Redware and Border Ware
dominate the post medieval assemblage.

54 High St

A small group, principally of post medieval date, was recovered during building activity. There are
large sherds of Rhenish stoneware and Post Medieval Redware, 2 small sherds of Border Ware and
17 large sherds of Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware, from 3 vessels.

Alton Church Hall

A total of 28 small sherds were recovered, principally of Post Medieval Redware. Several sherds of
early medieval date were also recovered, principally of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware and
Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware. Single sherds of Transitional Sandy Ware, Border Ware and
Verwood-type Ware were also recovered.

Alton Site D

A series of contexts were excavated which contained mixed and fragmented assemblages. Most of
the pottery is of early medieval date, with Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware dominating and sherds of
Wessex Coarseware, Flint and Sand Tempered Ware and Medieval Sandy Ware also being present.
There is also a small and very fragmented assemblage of late and post medieval pottery.

Johnson’s Corner

The largest group of pottery was recovered from the excavations at Johnson’s Corner. Three areas
were excavated. The main feature of these sites are a series of pit groups, which can be dated to the
late medieval and early post medieval period.

Site A

Most of the pottery is of late medieval date and there are a series of discrete groups of late 14 th-15th
century pottery, described below:

Pit 36 contained a small, and probably residual, sherd of Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware with 2 larger
sherds of Coarse Border Ware, 20 sherds of Micaceous Redware, 39 sherds of Transitional Sandy
Ware and a small, possibly intrusive, sherd of Border Ware. This pit probably dates to the late 14th-
15th century, on the basis of the presence of Coarse Border Ware.

Pit 52 contained 25, generally fragmented, sherds. These consist of a small fragment of Micaceous
Coarse Sandy Ware, 2 small sherds of Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware, a small sherd of Coarse Border
Ware, 2 large sherds of Bentley-type Ware, 15 sherds of Micaceous Redware, 3 sherds of Tudor
Green and 1 sherd of Border Ware. The pit was probably filled with redeposited material in the late
medieval period (14th-15th centuries).

Pit 67 contained 41 sherds. These consist of 2 small sherds of Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware, 3 larger
sherds of Micaceous Redware, 26 sherds of Transitional Sandy Ware, 9 small sherds of Post Medieval
Redware and a large sherd of Raeren-type Stoneware. The pit would appear to date from the 15th-
16th centuries.

Pit 68 contained 14 sherds, consisting of a small sherd of Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware, 2 sherds of
Surrey Whiteware, 8 sherds of Micaceous Redware and 3 large sherds of Transitional Sandy Ware. It
probably dates from the 14th-15th centuries.

Pit 69 contained 56 sherds, principally of late medieval and early post medieval date. Five small
sherds of Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware may be residual. There are 3 moderately sized sherds of
Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware, a large fragment of Coarse Border Ware, a small piece of Bentley-type
Ware, 39 moderately sized sherds of Micaceous Redware, 4 large sherds of Transitional Sandy Ware
and a moderately sized sherd of Post Medieval Sandy Ware. Small sherds of Border Ware and Post
Medieval Redware may be intrusive. This seems to be a late medieval pit, perhaps dating to the late
14th or 15th century.

Posthole 73 contained 34 sherds, 25 of which are fragments of Micaceous Redware. There are also
sherds of Wessex Caorseware, Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware, Surrey Whiteware, Bentley-type Ware
and Transitional Sandy Ware. The posthole probably dates from the 14th-15th century.

Pit 76 contained 20 sherds. These consist of 2 moderately sized sherds of Micaceous Coarse Sandy
Ware, a large sherd of Surrey Whiteware, 3 large sherds of Coarse Border Ware, 13 large sherds of
Micaceous Redware and a moderately sized sherd of Transitional Sandy Ware. The context probably
dates to the late 14th-15th centuries.
There is a small and fragmented assemblage of early medieval pottery, which contains some more
unusual types, including fragments of possible Laverstock-type Ware and French imports, as well as
sherds of Whiteware with Flint. There is an important early modern group from the upper layers,
which includes a high quantity of English Stoneware.

Site B

This is the smallest group from the site, consisting of 130 sherds which are principally of post
medieval date. There are no secure groups as at sites A and C. Sherds are generally small and
fragmented. Although the context information is incomplete, it seems that the majority were
recovered from gravel terracing layers.

Site C

A larger assemblage (444) sherds was recovered from this site, including several pit groups dating
from the 14th-16th century. There are several key groups:

Context 7 dates from the 15th-16th centuries. Late medieval wares consist of a large sherd of Bentley-
type Ware and 8 small sherds of Micaceous Redware. There are also 10 small sherds of Tudor Green,
a small sherd of Border Ware and a moderately sized sherd of Raeren-type Stoneware.

Context 61 contained a mixture of pottery, which is fairly fragmented. There are 5 small sherds of
Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware and 4 of Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware. Six sherds of Coarse Border
Ware, a large sherd of Bentley-type Ware and 2 small sherds of West Sussex Ware are also present,
along with 14 small sherds of Micaceous Redware. There is one small sherd of Transitional Sandy
Ware. The remaining pottery is of post medieval date and consists of 2 small fragments of Tudor
Green, 3 small sherds of Post Medieval Redware, a small sherd of Rhenish Stoneware and a small
fragment of Refined Earthenware. This would seem to be a 15th-16th century context, but with some
residual/intrusive material.

The majority of material in pit 85 appears to be of late medieval date. The earliest sherd is a small
fragment of Roman pottery. Five sherds of Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware and 6 of Micaceous Fine
Sandy Ware are also present. All are small and potentially residual. There are larger sherds of Surrey
Whiteware (7), Coarse Border Ware (3) and Bentley-type Ware (3), as well as a small sherd of West
Sussex Ware. There are also 42 small sherds of Micaceous Redware, 4 small sherds of Transitional
Sandy Ware and a small sherd of Tudor Green. The pit seems to date from the 14th century, based on
the presence of large sherds of Coarse Border Ware, Surrey Whiteware and Bentley-type Ware. The
smaller fragments of the various coarsewares suggests some material may have been redeposited,
making it difficult to extract any information about the dating of these coarsewares.

Pit 86 contained 22 small sherds, principally of Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware (15). There are also 2
sherds of Bentley-type Ware, 2 sherds of Transitional Sandy Ware, a sherd of Post Medieval Redware
and 2 small unidentified sherds. The pit would appear to have been filled with redeposited material,
perhaps in the early post medieval period. The excavator suggests a 14th-15th century date, which
seems appropriate.

Context 102 contained 14 sherds of medieval pottery. There are 3 small sherds of Micaceous Coarse
Sandy Ware and 2 small sherds of Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware, as well as 3 moderately sized sherds
of Micaceous Redware. There is a large sherd of Surrey Whiteware and 3 large sherds of Coarse
Border Ware, along with 2 small sherds of Transitional Sandy Ware. A late 14th or early 15th century
date can be suggested on the basis of the presence of Coarse Border Ware and Surrey Whiteware.

Pit 103 contained 50 sherds. There are 2 small sherds of Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware, 2 small sherds
of Surrey Whiteware and 8 small sherds of Coarse Border Ware. There are larger sherds of West
Sussex Ware (1), Micaceous Redware (31) and Transitional Sandy Ware (2), which suggest a late 14th-
15th century date for the pit. There are also single sherds of Tudor Green, Border Ware and
Whiteware with Flint, which correspond with this date range. This pit was originally dated to the 16th
century by the excavator.

Pit 133 contained 17 sherds of varying date. The earliest is a small sherd of Chalk Tempered Ware
and 2 small sherds of Wessex Coarseware. These are probably residual. There are 2 moderately sized
sherds of Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware, 4 large sherds of Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware, 4 large
sherds of West Sussex Ware and single sherds of Micaceous Redware and Surrey Whiteware. There
are single small sherds of Tudor Green and Whiteware with Flint. The excavator suggests a 15 th-16th
century date. This seems too late, on the basis of the West Sussex Ware and Surrey Whiteware, a
14th-15th century date can be suggested.

All of the earlier medieval pottery is typical of that from elsewhere, but is generally fragmented. The
later types are also typical of the town as a whole.

Alton Methodist Church

Thirty-nine sherds were recovered during building activity. The largest sherds are of post medieval
date, with Border Ware, Post Medieval Redware, Verwood, Brown Glazed Ware, Industrial Slipware
and Refined Earthenware being present. The earlier pottery is extremely fragmented an probably
residual.

Market Square

Six large sherds were recovered, 2 of Flint and Sand Tempered Ware, 1 of Micaceous Redware and 3
of Border Ware.

Normandy Street

Excavations by Southern Archaeological Services revered 3 groups of pottery. Only one, context 6,
could be dated securely, to the 14th-15th century. It contained sherds of Micaceous Fine Sandy Ware,
Micaceous Redware and Coarse Border Ware.

Alton Police Station

A pit was excavated which contained 41, generally large sherds. These consist of a large piece of
Wessex Coarseware, 8 large sherds of Micaceous Coarse Sandy Ware, 22 large sherds of Micaceous
Fine Sandy Ware, 7 sherds of Bentley-type Ware, 1 sherd of Micaceous Redware and a large sherd of
Medieval Sandy Ware, with a small fragment of Iron Rich Sandy Ware. This pit can be dated to the
13th-14th centuries.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS


The pottery from these sites greatly enhances our knowledge of pottery from Alton. A single small
group of Anglo-Saxon pottery has been recovered, with the types present conforming to those in
larger assemblages excavated in Hampshire and West Sussex. There are several secure groups dating
to the 14th-16th centuries, meaning that we have been able to develop a fairly good understanding of
the pottery of this period. No such groups are present for the earlier medieval period. The majority
of pottery in this phase are Micaceous Coarse Sandy Wares, and the general absence of glazed sandy
wares is noticeable. In both phases, most of the coarsewares appear to be locally produced, with
glazed jugs principally being supplied by the industries of the Surrey/Hampshire border. There are
several large post medieval groups which deserve further study.

The assemblages are generally very small and fragmentary, which limits their interpretive potential,
but there seems to be little difference in the composition of the assemblages, suggesting that no
clear social differences can be deduced from a study of the pottery alone. A similar level of
homogeneity has been noted in assemblages from the small town of Romsey in west Hampshire.

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