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PotWeb
is dedicated to broadening the understanding of ceramics by use of innovative
methods such as the online catalogue, interactive visitor facilities
and various study modules. The latter approach forms the basis for this
study.
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 Study-Notice:
This module will take about 15 - 30 minutes to read and will
provide additional follow-up ideas and links for further study. |
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As an online study
module, one of the primary objectives for this exercise is to present
additional information to compliment the PotWeb database. By addressing selective
themes and employing up-to-date recognised archaeological methodologies,
it is hoped that the Seacourt Deserted Medieval Settlement (DMS) can
be re-examined with the aim of producing fresh and informative knowledge,
ultimately showing the
value of re-examining such sites.
The
following exercise is the result of a four week work placement at the
Ashmolean Museum during the summer of 2001. As a result, what is presented
here is only a brief glimpse of the kind of thinking employed by archaeologists
which will demonstrate the value of re-examining sites such as Seacourt.
It also demonstrates the potential of the wealth of excavated material
evidence housed in the Ashmolean Museum.
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Documentary evidence
All documentary evidence
concerning the Seacourt excavations is stored in the Ashmolean Museum’s
archive room. There are two box-files available for the 1938/39 excavations
and four for 1958/59. These contain all relevant correspondence, site
note-books, diaries, photographic evidence and newspaper articles.
Material evidence
The excavated material
from Seacourt is also housed at the Ashmolean. The material culture of this
medieval settlement, in terms of pottery sherds, stone, iron/slag deposits
etc., can be reconstructed from these finds (see Tables 1. and 2.) |
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'What
can we learn from looking at
pottery and why is it important to archaeology?'
Pottery
is one of the most important materials to the archaeologist, providing
significant additional information on themes such as the dating,
status and fashion/trends of a site, to name but a few. The robust
structure of pottery ensures a near-infinite survival rate for
ceramic objects compared for example to that of wood, cloth or
other organic materials.
However, apart from deliberate burials
such as hoard containers or cremation urns, it is rare that complete
vessels are found intact; instead remnants of discarded broken pots,
jugs or other ceramic objects are unearthed more frequently. As a
result, these small fragments of pottery, known as sherds or
potsherds, are by far the most common finds on the majority of
excavated Roman and Medieval sites. |
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