Volume 1
The gentleman's magazine library : being a classified collection of the chief contents of The gentleman's magazine from 1731 to 1868. Romano-British remains / edited by George Laurence Gomme.
- Date:
- 1887
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The gentleman's magazine library : being a classified collection of the chief contents of The gentleman's magazine from 1731 to 1868. Romano-British remains / edited by George Laurence Gomme. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![Shepton Mallet. [1864, Part II., pp. 770, 771.] I send you an account of an interesting evidence of Roman occupation, which was discovered last week at Shepton Mallet. In making an excavation for the purpose of fixing the large copper of an extensive brewery now in course of erection there, the workmen came upon a construction which I will endeavour to describe. In a circular recess, formed 3 feet below the surface of the ground at the period from which the structure dates, is placed a shelf of the same shape, and 3 feet 6 inches in diameter. This shelf is formed of coarse unground clay, and is 8 inches thick. Its lower surface stands 18 inches above the floor of the recess, and it is supported by rude half-columns of the same clay, which are attached to the sides of the recess beneath. The whole of the clay used is burnt red with fire, but has at this time very little tenacity. The sides of this recess are formed of small worked stones embedded in clay, and their sur- face is covered with a coating of the same material, which remains in a very perfect state. This shelf of clay is perforated with holes of two sizes. The larger ones are not circular, being some 7 inches by 8 inches, and others 6 inches by 9 inches; the smaller ones 3 inches in diameter, and some 3 inches by 2\ inches. The edges of these holes are very perfect. When first discovered, the larger holes held pots of common unglazed red earthenware. The opening of the recess in front of this shelf is 2 feet 3 inches, which is further contracted by two free- stone jambs to 1 foot 8 inches. These jambs rest on the floor of the excavation, and are 2 feet high, and 1 foot thick. The sides of the recess above the shelf are carried up 18 inches in stonework, and are covered with an even surface of clay. In front of this construction is a cleared space on the same level extending about 6 feet backward, the extent being marked by a portion of a layer of worked stones arranged on a semicircular form on the floor. Above the natural ground level of the Roman period, which I have already spoken of, lies an accumulation of black soil, 2 feet thick, on which grass was growing before the brewery works were commenced with. This curious structure is a Roman pottery kiln. I speak with some confidence on this subject, because I have been confirmed in this opinion by my friend, the Rev. E. Trollope, F.S.A., to whom I com- municated the chief points I have stated, immediately after my first visit to the spot. Mr. Trollope says, “ Of the Roman origin of this find there can be no doubt from the exuviae gathered from it.” He also reminds me that at Castor, Northants, or Durobrivae, a similar kiln was found, and described by the late Mr. Artis, a steward of Lord Fitzwilliam’s. [Ante, pp. 238-242.]](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b24879034_0001_0321.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
