Huntcliff ware facts for kids

Huntcliff-type pottery is a special kind of pottery made a long time ago in Roman Britain. It's often called 'Huntcliff ware', but 'Huntcliff-type' is more accurate. This pottery was used by people living in Britain when the Romans were in charge.

The name 'Huntcliff-type' comes from a report where this specific type of jar was first identified. Using 'Huntcliff ware' can be a bit confusing because it sounds like the pottery was made at a Roman signal station called Huntcliff on the coast of Yorkshire. However, no pottery workshops (called kilns) have been found there. Experts believe it was made somewhere else in East Yorkshire, possibly in an area called the Vale of Pickering, because of where pieces of it have been found.

What is Huntcliff-Type Pottery?

Huntcliff-type pottery is a unique kind of jar. It's made from clay mixed with crushed calcite, which is a type of mineral. These jars have a special curved rim that flares outwards, and a groove designed to hold a lid.

This pottery was made in East Yorkshire, a region in northern England. It was produced from about AD 360 until the 5th century AD, which means it was made during the later part of the Roman rule in Britain.

How Was Huntcliff-Type Pottery Made?

The pottery usually looks dark grey, dark brown, or most often, black. It feels hard and rough, and if it breaks, it has a jagged edge. The outside of the jars was often smoothed down. Near the bottom, the potters would trim the clay with a knife to finish it.

A common feature of these jars is a series of parallel lines or grooves on the shoulder (the rounded part near the top). These lines weren't always perfectly straight. The potters mixed a lot of crushed calcite into the clay. This made the pottery strong and durable. The main body of the jar was shaped by hand, but the rim was carefully finished using a potter's wheel.