CONE 6 CERAMICS
HIGHGATE KILN PROJECT
I am currently engaged by the Roman Kiln Society (Fired Up For London) and The City Of London to research micaceous terracotta clay in Highgate woods and to reproduce replica Roman pots from the clay. As well as working with the local clay I will also be making Roman bricks and fire bars, experimenting with standard terracotta to create these parts for the construction of a replica Roman kiln – the second part of the project, which I will be heading next summer. The clay research in this project will focus on the thermal dynamics qualities of terracotta particularly in reference to flameware in 1st century Roman pots and it’s applications in modern cookware.
Firing London's Imagination
Firing London’s Imagination is a three-year project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to restore the 1st Century CE Romano-British kiln first discovered in 1968 to Highgate Wood in its own, dedicated visitor centre. The project also aims to engage local London communities in discovering and exploring the rich Roman heritage of the city.
1st Century Roman Kiln
It has been fascinating seeing the original Kiln as it lay in pieces at Bruce Castle Museum and working out how it was originally constructed. The kiln has been, over the years, studied by archeologists and historians but what I could offer is the perspective of a potter; helping to understand why it has specific features that can only be explained by function. The design and materiality of the kiln are a result of minimum effort for greatest efficiency.The project will centre on building a replica Roman 1st Century kiln; a copy of Kiln 2, using the same methods and materials that were used in the construction of the original.
Micaceous Clay
Ten pottery kilns and a pottery dating to between AD50 and AD160 were unearthed in Highgate woods. I was interested in why the site was specifically chosen by the Romans, and why they would keep returning to it. The proximity to Londinium and access to water, as well as the availability of fuel sourced from the copassed woods are important factors, but as I suspected, unlike London clay which is abundant throughout the capital, Highgate Clay is Micaceous which makes it especially suited for cooking pots, and a rare find. This clay was highly prized throughout the ancient world and is still being used for cooking pots in places like Mexico.The Micas give the clay a sparkle and enhance the thermo-conductivity coefficient, so that pots, if well made, do not crack on contact with direct flame.
Clay dig 1
With help of Nick Peacy (head of the Highgate Kiln Restoration project), Michael Hacker (archaeologist), Cindy Blaney (Highgate woods) and lovely volunteers (Zoe, Gia & Kieran),( & from CSM Alex, Ari & Abby); the first highgate clay dig on 31.07.23 yielded some promising results. Good plastic clay body with definite traces of Mica and no slit or sandy lamination.
Clay dig 2
Digging again in the same spot we went wider and further down and found wonderful micaceous clay as well as some lovey treasures including underfired ceramics (possibly from a failed firing0, iron deposits, rocks with iceage frost damage and a fossile we are investigating....
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