Latest news with #SuttonVAPrimarySchool
Miami Herald
04-02-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
‘Rare' 500-year-old kiln — and over 600 pounds of pottery — found at UK school. See it
A planned construction project at an elementary school in the United Kingdom morphed into an archaeological dig — and learning opportunity for students — when preliminary work revealed a 'rare' 500-year-old kiln. Photos show the 'remarkable discovery.' Archaeologists began excavations at the Sutton VA Primary School as part of a project to expand the school's play areas, the Central Bedfordshire Council said in a Jan. 27 news release. The dig soon unearthed a 'well-preserved' pottery kiln dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. 'What we've seen here is a large-scale kiln that may have been used for decades,' David Ingham, the excavation manager, said in the release. Seen from above, the historic kiln has an oval shape with several holes in the top, a photo shared by the council in a Jan. 27 Facebook post shows. 'Kilns of its size and quality are rare finds in the area,' officials said. Additionally, 'the kiln is among the most complete examples uncovered, with its lower structure — including the floor, flues, and stoke-hole — still largely intact.' Other photos show these sections of the 500-year-old kiln. Overall, the size of the oven suggests a 'significant local industry' for pottery making. 'This discovery pushes our understanding of the pottery industry around Sutton, Potton and Everton (the surrounding towns) in the late medieval period,' Ingham said. 'It was more substantial than we previously (realized) and that helps build a richer picture of life in this area during that time.' 'This excavation isn't just about digging up (artifacts),' he said. 'It's about learning how people lived, what they did, and how industries operated in the past. It adds real depth to our understanding of the local history.' Archaeologists also uncovered 'more than' 660 pounds of pottery artifacts, the council said. These fragments have not yet been studied in detail. 'Pupils and staff have been very excited to follow the archaeologists' progress and discoveries,' Lucy Chapman, the headteacher at Sutton VA Primary School, said in the release. 'It has been wonderful to see the pupils engage in this. For some this has sparked a genuine interest in archaeology.' 'The kiln is a remarkable discovery for Sutton and the primary school,' Tracey Wye, the council's member for sustainability and climate resilience, said in the release. 'I am really glad the pupils had the chance to get a first-hand look 500 years into the past.' Archaeologists plan to create a digital model of the kiln, then rebury the original structure. Excavations at Sutton VA Primary School finished, but the analysis is 'ongoing.' Sutton VA Primary School is in the town of Sutton and a roughly 55-mile drive north of London.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Pottery kiln used by Tudors found in school
A pottery kiln that may have been used during the Tudor period has been discovered at a school. It was found at Sutton VA Primary School, near Potton in Bedfordshire, ahead of work to build a new play area. Archaeologists said kilns of its size and quality were rare in the area and it could suggest it had a more substantial pottery industry than previously thought. David Ingham from excavators Albion Archaeology, a contractor for Central Bedfordshire Council, said the kiln may have been in use for decades. The project manager added: "This discovery pushes our understanding of the pottery industry around Sutton, Potton and Everton in the late medieval period. "It was more substantial than we previously realised and that helps build a richer picture of life in this area during that time." Pupils at the school and nearby residents were given access to the discovery and spoke to archaeologists. The council described the kiln as "among the most complete examples uncovered" with much of its lower structure including flues and stoke-hole still intact. More than 300kg (660lb) of pottery was found during the excavation which will be stored at the Higgins Museum in Bedford. Both the kiln and the pottery will be recreated and archived digitally as 3D computer models. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. England's history gathers dust as museums fill up Face of Roman crucifixion victim revealed Hidden mosaic discovered at Roman site Albion Archaeology
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Pottery kiln used by Tudors found in school
A pottery kiln that may have been used during the Tudor period has been discovered at a school. It was found at Sutton VA Primary School, near Potton in Bedfordshire, ahead of work to build a new play area. Archaeologists said kilns of its size and quality were rare in the area and it could suggest it had a more substantial pottery industry than previously thought. David Ingham from excavators Albion Archaeology, a contractor for Central Bedfordshire Council, said the kiln may have been in use for decades. The project manager added: "This discovery pushes our understanding of the pottery industry around Sutton, Potton and Everton in the late medieval period. "It was more substantial than we previously realised and that helps build a richer picture of life in this area during that time." Pupils at the school and nearby residents were given access to the discovery and spoke to archaeologists. The council described the kiln as "among the most complete examples uncovered" with much of its lower structure including flues and stoke-hole still intact. More than 300kg (660lb) of pottery was found during the excavation which will be stored at the Higgins Museum in Bedford. Both the kiln and the pottery will be recreated and archived digitally as 3D computer models. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. England's history gathers dust as museums fill up Face of Roman crucifixion victim revealed Hidden mosaic discovered at Roman site Albion Archaeology
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Pottery kiln used by Tudors found in Sutton Primary School
A pottery kiln that may have been used during the Tudor period has been discovered at a was found at Sutton VA Primary School, near Potton in Bedfordshire, ahead of work to build a new play said kilns of its size and quality were rare in the area and it could suggest it had a more substantial pottery industry than previously Ingham from excavators Albion Archaeology, a contractor for Central Bedfordshire Council, said the kiln may have been in use for decades. The project manager added: "This discovery pushes our understanding of the pottery industry around Sutton, Potton and Everton in the late medieval period. "It was more substantial than we previously realised and that helps build a richer picture of life in this area during that time."Pupils at the school and nearby residents were given access to the discovery and spoke to council described the kiln as "among the most complete examples uncovered" with much of its lower structure including flues and stoke-hole still than 300kg (660lb) of pottery was found during the excavation which will be stored at the Higgins Museum in the kiln and the pottery will be recreated and archived digitally as 3D computer models. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
