This week we have two finds from our archaeological excavations during 2016 at Hylton Castle in Sunderland.  

Pottery:

These sherds form part of the base of a Hambleton Ware bung-hole cistern. Hambleton ware was produced in around Yorkshire in the late 14th and 15th centuries. Essentially a large jug with a hole just above the base, these vessels would have held liquid, and would most likely have a tap or spigot attached to the hole. This example has a convex base that shows evidence of soot to the exterior, which suggests that it had, at one time, been held over a fire.

Kiln furniture:

This single piece of kiln furniture takes the form of a three-pronged saddle. Clay bars were used to stack and support ceramic ware in a kiln, to ensure that separate vessels did not stick together during the firing process. This example dates from the 18th–19th centuries. The presence of such kiln furniture hints at pottery production taking place close by during this period.