Unstratified finds

General unstratified

Material from general disturbance of surface deposits during 2016 canal camps. This assemblage shows a typical spread of material from the early nineteenth century through to almost the present day! The large square-sectioned fasteners were probably made just upstream in the workshop, and the horseshoe may have come from an animal pulling a barge. The pottery includes light and dark blue patterns, as well as transfer printed wares and some nice 'mocha' dipped ware. Note the miniature plate and doll arm.

Unstratified finds from the creation of paths

Unstratified material from construction of paths

Creating paths mostly involved just the removal of turf. This is the material recovered during that process. It includes three fragemnts of slate pencil. Workers often made temporary notes and calculations using slates, which were more robust than paper. Again, the date range is wide.

Unstratified material from the picnic area

Unstratified material from the picnic area

The excavation of a picnic shelter involved digging firstly a 4m x 4m square, approx 20cm deep, through the turf and topsoil, and then a 4m diameter, 0.5m deep circular trench into which were placed upright posts. This is unstratified material from the turf and topsoil. Another slate pencil fragment is present, together with some nice transfer-printed pottery. The gas meter cupboard key is a mystery. There was no gas supply anywhere near the canal buildings.

Material from picnic area: light blue ceramics

Material from picnic area: light blue ceramics

These patterns may date from the first half on the nineteenth century. They may include the popular 'Asiatic Pheasant' desgn. 55 fragments

Dark blue decorated ceramics

Material from picnic area: dark blue ceramics

'Willow Pattern' designs were hugely popular in the nineteenth century, especially in the latter half and into the twentieth century. 36 fragments

Transfer printed pottery

Material from picnic area: transfer printed and coloured wares

These sherds represent the more expensive wares that graced cottage shelves in the nineteenth century. The partial designs on these fragments are tantalising examples. 33 fragments

Fancy ceramics

Material from picnic area: 'fancy' white wares

Ceramics with moulded embossed or relief designs. 5 fragments

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Miniature ceramic vessels

Material from picnic area: miniature vessels

Although these tiny vessels were probably bought for children, some may represent adult collecting or keepsakes. The finds include two fragments of miniature plate(s), a jug and two fragments of cup(s). 5 fragments

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Fireclay tobacco smoking pipes

Material from picnic area: tobacco smoking pipes

Fragments of clay tobacco pipes are ubiquitous on nineteenth century sites. These examples, with their right-angled bowls, are typical of the period. Four stamps were found: "Spooner" "Tredegar" (c1850, Oswald 1975; 1865-1891, Knight 1980); "G. Priest" "Canton" (1863-1907, Cardiff, Evans 1981, Brown 1988); "Real Irish, O'Brien" (c1860-90, Dublin, Oswald 1975); "17th Lancers" (1880s onwards?). 43 fragments

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Mocha dipped pottery

Material from picnic area: 'mocha' wares 2015

Fragments bearing the characteristic dendritic pattern. Other fragments from similar dipped wares may be included in 'simple decorated' below. 3 fragments

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Small finds

Material from picnic area: small finds

A bisque doll arm, two metal buttons, a shell button, a blue glass bead and a crude clay marble. 6 objects

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Simple decorated pottery

Material from picnic area: simple decorated wares

Several of these sherds could be from 'mocha' dipped wares. Others appear to be from familiar blue and white (milk) jugs. 24 fragments

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Corroded iron objects

Material from picnic area: Plain glazed wares

Mixing bowl(s) and teapots. 23 fragments

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Corroded iron objects

Material from picnic area: Iron objects

Heavily corroded iron objects, including two tent pegs (?), a large staple and two nails. 5 objects

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Not illustrated

  1. Undecorated white sherds: 293 fragments
  2. Unglazed terracotta: 7 fragments (probably flowerpot(s))
  3. Glazed terracotta: 17 fragments (all glazed interior or exterior only)
  4. Building materials (brick, tile, stone, slate): 3 fragments
  5. Window glass: 21 fragments
  6. Bottle glass: 82 fragments (including two stoppers)
  7. Fine glass: 9 fragments
  8. Animal: 1 butchered (sawn) animal bone (vertebra?), 2 fragments oyster shell
  9. Slag: 4 fragments
  10. Ceramic ink bottle(s): 2 fragments
  11. Terracotta, unglazed: 8 fragments (probably drainage pipe)
  12. Unglazed pottery: 1 fragment (bead rim)

2016 report

2017 excavation material

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