As part of the Romans Unearthed project, Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service are working in partnership with a team at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Museum to research and reconstruct a replica Roman kiln. This experimental archaeology project aims to use the archaeological evidence to attempt to manufacture "West Stow Reduced fine ware" pottery, with the same form and fabric as contemporary examples, using a kiln based on evidence from West Stow, excavated by Basil Brown and Stanley West in the 1940s.
The replica kiln structure was built in April 2026 with volunteers from the Anglian Potters and from Friends of West Stow. The next steps are to research and produce replica Roman pots based on the excavated West Stow examples. Later in the summer, the kiln will be filled with these replica pots, covered with a clay dome and fired.
Explore the resources on this page to follow our progress, and discover more about the different stages involved in building and firing the experimental replica Roman kiln at West Stow.
Articles
Check out the articles below for updates following the replica Roman kiln.
Reconstructing Roman West Stow - Research and Constructing the Kiln
A summary of how the Roman kilns at West Stow were first discovered, and the aims of this experimental replica Roman kiln project. Read also about how the team built the kiln structure in April 2026 using the original archaeological excavation plans.
Read the "Reconstructing Roman West Stow" article on our blog »
Keep an eye out over the summer for future blogs that will look at the replica pot making, West Stow’s Roman pottery industry and the outcome of this summer’s firing.
Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
