These sherds of Early Medieval pottery all came from the same context (archaeological area) near the leat during the 2025 dig.
The two pieces at the top of the picture fit together and were found side-by-side so we know they lay undisturbed for around 1200 years in the place where they were first thrown away. This type of pottery, which dates from the 7th-9th centuries, is known as chaff-tempered ware, meaning that bits of dried organics, such wheat straw or grass, were mixed in with the clay to give it strength. When the pot was fired, the chaff burnt away leaving characteristic dents in the pot. When analysed we should be able to tell the kind of chaff used.
This type of pot would have been used for cooking.
