Graham Webster

A note on the use of coal in Roman Britain

The widespread use of coal in Roman Britain has long been recognized. It has been found on many sites in burnt and unburnt state, occasionally in direct association with industrial and domestic use. The fullest account of the subject has been given by the late R. G. Collingwood, and it is the purpose of this note to supplement this with additional information and comment.

A Romano-British Pottery Kiln at Swanpool, Near Lincoln

The kiln was first brought to the notice of the Archaeological Research Committee by Mr. F. W. Brookes, who had observed wasters and kiln debris in the rabbit scrapes. The excavation was included in the Committees first years programme as it was felt that the pottery would provide a useful dating guide for the upper levels of the Roman city and at the same time give excellent training to the small but enthusiastic band of volunteers at that time being brought together.

A Romano-British pottery kiln at Rookery Lane, Lincoln

In November 1947 two schoolboys, David Ashforth and Leslie Leek of Westwick Gardens, digging about on some spare land near the Pike Drain on the west side of Rookery Lane (fig. I), found a quantity of ash and charcoal and a small Anglo-Saxon vessel which they brought into the Lincoln Museum. The area was subsequently excavated by the Lincoln Archaeological Research Committee following the ready permission by the owner of the land, Mr. A. Priestley.