From construction to destruction: The development of an excavation protocol for pottery kilns

Abstract

The recent preventive excavations at Famars and Montescourt-Lizerolles (Gallia Belgica, present North of France) with almost thirty new pottery kilns discovered and dated from the end of the 1st century CE to the beginning of the 4th century, as well as the programmed excavations at the 4th and 5th century CE pottery production sites of Fanjeaux and Magalas (Gallia Narbonensis, present Carcassonne region) have prompted the development of an excavation protocol adapted to kilns, complex edifices that are mostly cut through or emptied of their fillings. The new data showed that much more information could be obtained when following a rigorous method of cleaning, considering the position of artefacts in the fillings, and totally deconstructing the separate parts of the structure, by removing clay linings, supports and floors. Awareness of the diverse construction variations, applied material, and gestures lead to more exhaustive examination, even in the context of preventive archaeology where time pressure is important. The meticulous stripping of the structure has led to the demonstration of different elements, including the presence of channels to counteract humidity, the use of mudbricks or possible ritual deposits and gestures. Even if not all the combustion structures show these features, their presence can only be noticed when considering the possibility during excavation. This way, the authors hope to sensitise archaeologists to regard kilns with more care.