Photo Gallery
Thetford-type Ware
Site: Dragon Hall, Norwich.
Period: Late Saxon (10th-11th centuries AD).
Excavator: Norfolk Archaeological Unit.
Published: forthcoming.
Brief description: Thetford-type ware is so-called because kilns for the manufacture of this Late Saxon wheelmade pottery were first uncovered in Thetford. However, it is likely that the ware developed in Ipswich, where kilns have also been excavated, and was first made by Ipswich ware potters in the late 9th century. It is a medium sandy greyware, although fine and coarse fabrics are also known.
The main forms are plain jars with everted rims, but other forms included spouted bowls and pitchers, large strapped storage jars, handled jars and lamps. The example shown here is a pitcher or jug with a strap handle, decorated with bands of incised wavy lines. Similar types have been found in Thetford, but they are relatively rare.
Further reading
Dallas, C., 1984, 'The pottery', in Rogerson, A. and Dallas, C., Excavations in Thetford 1948-59 and 1973-80 , East Anglian Archaeology 22, pp. 117-66. Norfolk Archaeological Unit.
Hurst, J., 1976, 'The pottery', in Wilson, D. (ed.), The Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England, Cambridge University Press, pp.314-48 (Late Saxon).