For Day 16 of our Archaeology Advent Calendar we’re taking a trip back to Ombersley!
These four sherds were found during our excavations at Winnall Mill, and are a type of pottery known as Staffordshire-type slipware or ‘Post-Medieval buff ware’. First produced in Staffordshire in the late 17th century, this type of pottery was extremely popular in Georgian Britain, and was adopted by other English manufactories during the later 18th century. It has a distinctive yellow-and-brown glaze, and typically features combed or marbled designs that resemble fancy biscuits! Most of these sherds are from dishes, and the examples on the top right and bottom left have distinctive pasty-like ‘piecrust’ rims. Since they were found in demolition rubble at the old mill house, they give us a direct glimpse of what once sat on the miller’s dinner table.
We’re currently writing up the full report on our excavations at Winnall Mill, and hope to be able to share more information in due course. Until then, why not check out some of our other Reports, available via this website!