Monument record TR 36 SW 1242 - Late roman Kiln - possible Corn drier (Building 7) - Minster Roman Villa

In the summer of 2004, the final excavation season at Minster, the full extent of the cut feature was exposed, along with gullies and post holes. Excavation demonstrated that the feature was the subterranean element of a kiln or oven. Later demolition deposits were removed to expose the material created by the last use of the kiln; in some segments, the original structural cut of the kiln was exposed. The alignments of post holes and gullies associated with the kiln suggest it was probably protected by a post-built enclosure without a roof, or a light lean-to or barn like building.

The primary cut for the main chamber of the kiln structure was a fairly regular rectangle in plan, measuring 4.66m long on its north-south axis and 2.92m wide along the east-west axis. The undisturbed edges of the chamber were near vertical, penetrating the natural geology to an average depth of 0.96m. The main chamber was only excavated to natural deposits in two places; the evidence in these locations indicates that base of the chamber was relatively flat when it was cut. A stoke chamber for the kiln was formed by a second cut that intersected the eastern side of the main chamber, forming an opening 1.9m wide. The width of the chamber remained broadly consistent along its length.

Several gullies were located in the central area of the north side of the excavation. The most distinct elements of the group of daub-packed gullies formed a broad alignment, approximately 8m in total length. The deepest elements may have formed post settings for a structure. The daub in the fills may have derived from the clay render for such a structure falling into an adjacent gully as it decayed; however, it is not clear how this material could have been fired while it was in place. The daub may have been gathered from another area to pack into the gully to provide a firm base for some other purpose. The post holes and linear gullies associated with the kiln structure suggest that it occupied the eastern end of a barn or shed, constructed on a foundation of opposed pairs of timber posts, with a span of approximately 6-7m between the rows and a length of at least 15m.

The accumulation of a large assemblage of late Roman pottery, in association with some of the latest Roman coins to be discovered on the Abbey Farm site, is obviously of considerable value to understanding the development of the villa complex over time. though the kiln likely has a later date It is possible that the hollow of the decayed kiln body formed the focus of a distinct, later phase of deposition, with the hollow perhaps being used as a rubbish tip, or forming a shallow pond into which small change was thrown.

<1> K. Parfitt, E Boast and G Moody, 2009, The Roman villa at Minster in Thanet. Part 6 the villa enclosure buildings 2 and 5 (Article in serial). SKE51653.