Excavations at The Moors at Arne near Poole Harbour have revealed evidence of a Roman pottery production site operating on a substantial scale. The discoveries, including more than 17,000 pottery fragments, two kilns and building remains, are due to feature in the latest series of BBC Two’s Digging for Britain.
The site was investigated during 2024 as part of The Moors at Arne project, a compensatory habitat scheme being delivered by Kier for the Environment Agency and its partners, the RSPB and Natural England. Wessex Archaeology carried out the excavations.
The pottery is associated with Black Burnished ware, a dark, charcoal-coloured ceramic commonly made in the form of jars, bowls and dishes. According to Wessex Archaeology, products from this industry were traded across Roman Britain. The finds at Arne include vessels discovered inside the kilns that remain nearly complete.
Not all of the pottery achieved the intended dark finish. Some pieces are orange because the chemical reaction in the clay that would have produced the black colour did not occur correctly during firing. The results provide evidence of the technical challenges involved in manufacturing the ware, although questions remain about the precise methods used by the potters.
To investigate those techniques, Professor Stuart Prior of Digging for Britain worked with Wessex Archaeology specialists and Dorset potter Bill Crumbleholme at the Ancient Technology Centre in Dorset. They constructed a kiln inspired by the examples found at the site and produced pots resembling Black Burnished ware. The experimental process and its results will be included in the programme.
Phil Trim, a Wessex Archaeology fieldwork supervisor, said the quantity and range of pottery fragments, together with the kilns, are helping researchers examine how the production site operated and the difficulties involved in achieving the characteristic finish.
Greg Chuter, the Environment Agency archaeologist leading the programme, said the pottery was popular with the Roman Army before becoming part of everyday use. Further study of the ceramics, kilns, buildings and surrounding environment is expected to provide more information about Black Burnished ware production in Dorset.
The episode is scheduled to air on BBC Two at 8 p.m. on January 16, 2025, with viewing also available through BBC iPlayer.
