Monument record BEG 004 - Rookery Mound (Un)

Furnace discovered by (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s) in November 1978 on the "Rookery Mound" site near Bealings House, Woodbridge, Suffolk. It was found amongst trees, above ground, and was filled with earth, perhaps exposed while digging some (undated) graves for dogs nearby. Removed by (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s) to his home.
Furnace consists of a slightly tapered, cylindical shaft, 90cm in height. The maximum outside diameter is 52cm and the walls are 7cm thick at the top of the furnace. Suggest upper portion broken off and lost. Inner wall probably formed during working. Outer wall of dried earth and clay. Two holes one (15cm in diameter) at the base probably a slag tapping hole and a possible air inlet 25cm up from base and 6cm in diameter. Evidence of second blocked air inlet higher up. Inner wall yielded iron and manganese contents. Author suggests a Rom or Med date for this structure deciding that its small size and free standing nature indicates the later period. Used for smelting iron ores (S1).
Information to Eileen Edwards by Tony Gregory NAU. Former visited (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s), by appointment, on a number of occasions to see the shaft furnace remains, but he was never there (S2).