Ashted archaeological report

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION
AT THE PROPOSED TECHNOLOGY PARK,
EASTSIDE,
BIRMINGHAM
(BIES 07)

Work Undertaken For
Wardell Armstrong LLP
on behalf of
Birmingham City Council

January 2008

Report Compiled by
Mark Peachey BA (Hons)

National Grid Reference: SP 078870
OASIS Record No: archaeol1-36373

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT SERVICES

A.P.S. Report No. 2/08

CONTENTS

List of Figures

List of Plates

1. SUMMARY.............................................................................................................. 1
2. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 1
2.1 PLANNING BACKGROUND ...................................................................................... 1
2.2 TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY................................................................................ 1
2.3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SETTING ................................................................................. 1
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES...................................................................................... 3
4. METHODS............................................................................................................... 3
5. RESULTS................................................................................................................. 4
6. POST-EXCAVATION TASK LIST AND PROGRAMME................................... 7
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................... 7
8. PERSONNEL........................................................................................................... 7
9. BIBLIOGRAPHY.................................................................................................... 8
10. ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................. 8

Appendices

1 Specification for archaeological evaluation

2 Context Descriptions

3 The Finds by Dr Anne Boyle, Paul Cope-Faulkner, Rachael Hall and Gary Taylor

4 Post-medieval and early modern pottery archive by Gary Taylor and Dr. Anne Boyle

5 An evaluation of the charred plant macrofossils and other remains by Val Fryer

6 Glossary

7 The Archive

Archaeological Project Services

List of Figures

Figure 1 General location plan

Figure 2 Site location plan

Figure 3 Trench location plan

Figure 4 Belmont Glassworks site plan

Figure 5 Belmont Row Glassworks site plan

Figure 6 Plan of cone [100]

Figure 7 Ashted Pumping Station site plan

Figure 8 Elevation of wall [054] and wall footings [055] and [056]

Figure 9 Elevation of cone wall [145]

Figure 10 Ashted Pumping Station profile

Figure 11 Elevations of condenser tank

List of Plates

Plate 1 Walls [042], [046], [048] looking east, Belmont Glassworks

Plate 2 Wall [054] looking SW, Belmont Glassworks

Plate 3 General view of Cone [100] looking NW, Belmont Row Glassworks

Plate 4 General view of Ashted Pumping Station looking west.

Plate 5 Wall [308] (Elevation 20) of condenser tank [301], Ashted Pumping Station

Plate 6 Pump shaft [304] and culvert [305] looking NW, Ashted Pumping Station

Plate 7 Water shute [322] looking NE, Ashted Pumping Station


ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS ON LAND AT EASTSIDE, BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS

1. SUMMARY The site lies 1km northeast of Birmingham
town centre on level wasteground at
An archaeological excavation was c115m OD (Fig. 2). Located alongside the
undertaken on land at the proposed Digbeth Branch Canal. The investigation
Technology Park, Eastside, Birmingham in sites lie south of the junction of Jennens
order to record any remains of the Road and Lawley Street Middleway, to the
Belmont and Belmont Row Glassworks northeast of Belmont Row, at National
and to inform on the design of the new Grid Reference SP 078 870 (Fig. 3).
development around the Ashted Pumping
Station. Local geology is sand.

The excavation identified remains of both 2.3 Archaeological Setting
glassworks and established the extent of
the pumping station. Belmont and Belmont Row Glassworks

Finds included fragments of glassmaking Medieval glass production was based in
crucibles, pottery and bricks. In addition woodland areas, such as the Weald of Kent
to evidence of glassmaking there were and Sussex but the transition to coal during
indications of pottery manufacture and the 17th century resulted in the gradual
possible metal working. relocation of the industry to coalfield
areas. The use of coal led to changes in the
form of the furnace, with the fire directly
2. INTRODUCTION below the crucibles and draught provided
by underground flues. Sometime in the
2.1 Planning Background 18th century the furnace was covered by a
cone. These cones were unstable and many
Archaeological Project Services was collapsed (Palmer and Neaverson 1998).
commissioned by Wardell Armstrong They were gradually abandoned during the
Engineering and Environmental Solutions second quarter of the 19th century in favour
on behalf of Birmingham City Council to of a more conventional type of glasshouse
undertake a programme of archaeological building with a central chimney for the
excavation in advance of proposed furnace, though many continued in use.
development at the proposed Technology
Park, Eastside, Birmingham. This was The glass-making industry became an
subsequent to a programme of established trade of Birmingham at the end
archaeological evaluation carried out by of the 18th century in response to the
University of Leicester Archaeological development of the canal system which
Services (ULAS) earlier in 2007. The made the transport of raw materials easier
excavation was undertaken between 24th and less expensive. Glassworks were sited
September and 9th November 2007 in close to canals for this reason. Mayer
accordance with a specification prepared Oppenheim established the first
by Wardell Armstrong (Appendix 1) and documented glasshouse in Birmingham on
approved by the Birmingham City Snow Hill in 1757 and by the middle of
Planning Archaeologist. the following century flint glassmaking
was largely concentrated in Stourbridge
2.2 Topography and Geology and Birmingham.

Birmingham is the main city of West Between the late 1840s and the late 1870s
Midlands Metropolitan County (Fig. 1). the flint glass trade flourished, stimulated

1


by the final repeal of the excise duty on known as the chair.
glass in 1845 and the Great Exhibition of
1851 at Crystal Palace. However, from the The glass furnace occupied the centre of
1860s foreign glass began to have an the cone. It was circular and held between
impact on the English trade and by 1880 ten and a dozen individual melting pots
the golden age of flint glass making was which stood in a ring inside the furnace
over. with their openings facing outwards. The
pots were made from fireclay capable of
The Belmont Glassworks (SMR no. withstanding the high temperature inside
20500-MBM2149) was founded by the furnace. The batch, or raw materials
Thomas Harris by 1804 along with a (silica, lead oxide and potassium oxide),
smaller establishment in Fazeley Street was shovelled into the pots. Cullet, or
which closed in 1810. The firm continued broken glass, was added to help bring
under the names of Harris, Smart and Co. down the melting temperature. The furnace
and then Thomas Harris and Rice Harris was then brought up to about 1400˚C and
until 1814. Rice Harris was then replaced held at this temperature for around 30
by John Harris until 1819 when the firm hours to allow the glass to fuse. The
became Harris, Gammon and Co. Later the temperature was then reduced to about
firm became William Gammon and Co. It 1200˚C, at which point the glass was like
seems, from the local Poor Rate Books, to honey in consistency and could be
have closed between 1896 and 1901. Two gathered out of the melting pot on the end
circular structures, probably glass cones, of the blowing iron. The furnace was never
can be seen on the Pigott Smith map of allowed to go out, some running for thirty
1850-55. years before rebuilding (Red House Glass
Cone guidebook).

Little is known about the Belmont Row Ashted Pumping Station
Glassworks (SMR 20503-MBM2152)
although it is probably that referred to in a The Digbeth Branch Canal was opened in
directory of 1808 as ‘William Hodgson, 1799 by the Birmingham Canal
glass manufacturer, Great Brook Street’ Navigations Company to link their system
(now Jennens Road). In Aris’s Gazette of southwards to the industries of Digbeth, a
July 1806 the China, glass and lower-lying area. It was found that the
earthenware manufactory of Madeley, flight of locks on the canal lost water
Hodgson and Co had advertised for a glass especially after the Warwick and
cutter. The works is on a map by Pigott Birmingham Canal joined it near its
Smith of 1824-5 but had disappeared by terminus. Therefore the company decided
the 1889 OS map. As with the Belmont to build a pumping station at Ashted to
Glassworks, the 1850-55 Pigott Smith map keep their water in the system
shows two circular structures, probably (Broadbridge 1974).
glass cones (Cook 2001).
The pumping station (SMR no. 20646-
The glass cone served two purposes. It MBM2300) recirculated water up the
acted as a giant chimney for the furnace, flight of six locks on the Digbeth Branch
drawing the air through underground Canal. It pumped from a well connected to
tunnels to enable the furnace to reach the the Bottom Pound and water was delivered
temperatures needed to melt the glass. It along a covered leat into the Hospital
also acted as the working space for the Pound. The plant was commissioned in
glassmakers who operated in teams of four 1812 and comprised a Boulton and Watt

2


single-acting, equal beam steam engine water and air (Crowley 1976). Another
with parallel motion on both ends of the improvement on the Newcomen design
iron beam. The cylinder had a 36 inch bore was the enclosing of the upper end of the
with a 7 foot stroke and was rated at 24.1 cylinder while the ‘straight-line linkage’
hp at 10 strokes per minute. Latterly it had for the piston rod was an improvement on
two Lancashire-type boilers while the Watt’s own designs (Dearborn Catalogue
pump had a 7 foot stroke, the type and nd).
bore being unrecorded.

The plant operated for 110 years until 3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
January 1922 and stood idle until sold to
Henry Ford after his visit to Birmingham The overall aim of the excavation was to
in 1928. An agreement was reached for provide a permanent record of the remains
Ford to provide a replacement oil engine of the glassworks prior to development and
which was installed at Titford. It was taken to inform on options for preservation in
to his museum at Greenfield Village, situ of the Ashted Pumping Station. In
Dearborn, near Detroit, Michigan, USA addition, the aim was to disseminate the
where it remains as a non-working exhibit. results of the excavation through an
The engine house was demolished in 1930 appropriate level of publication subsequent
and the boilers and remaining pipework to post-excavation analysis and
sold for scrap (Weaver 1970, 1986). assessment. These aims were to be
achieved through open excavation in those
The Ashted steam engine was of a type parts of the site where the evaluation
known as the atmospheric engine as established the presence of buried remains.
opposed to the later, and more compact,
high pressure steam engine used in, among It was anticipated that the excavation
other things, the railway locomotive. Its would reveal a variety of archaeological
power came from the creation of a vacuum remains, primarily of an industrial nature.
by condensing steam. This allowed the In particular, it was expected that
piston to be forced down at atmospheric excavation commensurate with the full
pressure thereby raising the pump plunger extent of the Ashted Pumping Station
on the other end of the beam. The Ashted would expose well-preserved external and
engine employed the separate condenser internal structural elements which would
invented by James Watt (1736-1819) by provide information on the development of
1765 and granted a patent in 1769. This the pumping station and the way it
was an improvement on the earlier beam functioned. It was also expected that
engines of Thomas Newcomen (1663- remains associated with the Belmont and
1729) in which cold water was sprayed Belmont Row Glassworks would provide
into the cylinder, condensing the steam evidence of the 19th century glassmaking
within it to create the necessary vacuum. processes carried out there.
This required the wasteful continuous
reheating of the cylinder which the Watt
system rendered unnecessary. The separate 4. METHODS
condenser was a cast iron box which could
be kept cold in a tank of water. An extra Removal of topsoil and other overburden
valve was located at the bottom end of the at the three sites was undertaken by
cylinder so that exhausted steam entered mechanical excavator using a toothless
the condenser. A small pump kept the ditching bucket. The exposed surfaces of
condenser from filling up, removing both the trenches were then cleaned by hand

3


and inspected for archaeological remains. a zone of ‘grubbing out’.

Each deposit exposed during the In the northeast of the area northwest to
evaluation was allocated a unique southeast aligned brick wall [049]
reference number (context number) with measured 4.8m long by 0.5m wide and up
an individual written description. A list of to 0.65m deep. Running parallel 3.5m to
all contexts and their interpretations the southwest (the pair running either side
appears as Appendix 2. A photographic of ULAS evaluation trench) was wall
record was also compiled and [054] (Fig 8, Plate 2) which was 3.02m
sections/elevations and plans were drawn long by 0.22m wide and 0.57m deep. The
at a scale of 1:10 and 1:20 respectively. surviving wall consisted largely of a brick
Recording of deposits encountered was arch and the beginnings of another one at
undertaken according to standard its southeastern limit, together with
Archaeological Project Services practice. substantial footings. The arches were
probably supporting arches to strengthen
The location of the excavated trenches was the since-demolished superstructure (Mike
surveyed with a Thales Z-max differential Hodder pers. comm.), rather than a form of
GPS. entrance or ventilation. These walls appear
from the 1889 map to be internal walls to
Following excavation, finds were the glassworks.
examined and a period date assigned
where possible (Appendix 3). The records The other area of probable glassworks to
were also checked and a stratigraphic survive was found at a lower level in an
matrix produced. Phasing was based on the exploratory trench excavated through the
nature of the deposits and recognisable grubbing out rubble backfill (Plate 1).
relationships between them supplemented Wall [042] measured 3.5m long by 0.35m
by artefact dating. wide by 0.39m in depth. It butted onto a
sloping section of wall [048] measuring
1.3m long by 0.5m wide and 0.8m deep
5. RESULTS (Figs 4 and 5) which had been broken through by the
grubbing out. Up against these walls was a
The results of the archaeological layer of dark grey clinker material (043)
excavation are discussed in site order. found in environmental analysis (sample
Archaeological contexts are described 1) to contain small fragments of coal and
below. The numbers in brackets are the green glass. This overlay a layer of
context numbers assigned in the field. redeposited sand (045) filling the gap
between wall [042] and separate wall
Belmont Glassworks (Fig 4) footing [046] which was 1m long by 0.6m
The first area to be excavated was that of wide by 0.15m deep. Overlaying the 1889
the former Belmont Glassworks. Much of OS map onto the site plan shows this
this area was reported to have been footing in the right place to be a surviving
‘grubbed out’ during remediation work in block of the large cone outer wall footing
1988 and this had been confirmed by the while sloping wall [048] may by the
ULAS trenching evaluation. This was surviving part of a flue into the smaller
reaffirmed, with loose brick and concrete cone. Wall [042] could have been a
rubble having been used for backfilling. passage wall leading down to this flue and
However, two areas of glassworks retaining the natural sand behind it.
structures were revealed at the northeast However, all in all the Belmont
and southwest ends of the site separated by Glassworks seems to have been largely

4


destroyed by late Victorian demolition and [100] (Fig 6, Plate 3) was discovered
1980s ‘grubbing out’. centered 15m to the south.

In the initial machining for the trench, two This was cut into the natural sand (121)
parallel brick walls aligned northwest to with only the bottom 0.65-1m of the
southeast [008] and [032] were revealed footings surviving. The footings were
either side of a brick floor [035] in the divided into four segments, the gap
southwest corner (Fig 4). This may have between [145] (Fig 9) and [146] clearly
been a remnant of later buildings shown on being original and probably the base of a
the 1931 OS map. This later date than the strengthening arch. The other two gaps had
probable glassworks buildings is also probably been widened by ‘grubbing out’:
suggested by the well-faced walls in on the north side of the gap between [146]
English Garden Wall bond which included and [147] and on both sides between [120]
blue bullnose bricks. and [147]. Partly because of ‘grubbing
out’, a construction trench [201] for the
Rubble overburden (030) contained cone wall was only apparent on the inside
unglazed vessels which may indicate of the northern wall segment [120]. This
pottery manufacture within the vicinity of was 0.6m deep and 0.45m wide. The cone
the site (Appendix 3). was about 11m in diameter with the
footing 0.7m wide and tilting very slightly
Belmont Row Glassworks (Fig 5) inwards. It was built of red brick in
The next area to be excavated was that of English Bond.
the former Belmont Row Glassworks on
the west side of the Ashted Tunnel. An area of later stratigraphy survived the
Beginning at the north end, machining of ‘grubbing out’ within the cone and
this site initially revealed limited remains, adjacent to the western edge of the
as had been the case in the ULAS excavation. Following removal of a few
evaluation. Surviving features consisted of obvious further patches of ‘grubbing out’
the occasional brick wall or floor remnant rubble, it was decided to excavate two
that had survived the 1988 grubbing out, slots into this block to see if any internal
the rubble from the backfill directly structure of the cone survived. Many
overlying natural sand. However, towards layers and lenses of sand, clay and clinker
the south end, at a deeper level than the were recorded but could all be interpreted
ULAS trenches, a curved length of brick as levelling deposits laid over the cone
wall was revealed. On completion of area in order to construct other buildings
stripping about two thirds of a circular although a small pit [204] filled with
brick structure was exposed with some rubbly deposits cut through these layers on
later walls overlying it close to the site the south side near the baulk. One of the
baulk. layers (149) contained unglazed sherds
which may indicate pottery production on
As with the Belmont Glassworks, the site the site as suggested by the title of the firm
plan was compared with a 19th century in the 1806 Aris’s Gazette advert (Cook
map, in this case Pigott-Smith’s map of 2001).
1850-55 (Cook 2001). Two circular
structures, probably glass cones are On top of these layers a number of wall
marked on the map. While one lay outside footings were recorded matching the
the area of excavation, and largely under rectangular buildings marked on Pigott-
Jennens Road, no trace of the other was Smith’s map: [133], [134], [143] and [144]
discovered. However, a probable cone while small rectangular structure [139]

5


was on the same alignment and was Following machining, including the
probably the base of a manhole or similar emptying out of a deep rectangular room,
feature relating to drainage. Very small the structure was cleaned by hand.
wall remnant [151] was also almost in Features identified within the overall
alignment and both this and [144] were structure included a culvert [305], pump
actually built directly on the reduced cone shaft [304] (Plate 6), beam support base
walls. Brick floor [203] and floor [132] [319], condenser tank (the deep room)
overlying it survived within the corner of [301] (Fig 11, Plate 5), cylinder base wall
walls [144] and [134], appearing from the [334] and a shute [322] (Plate 7). The area
map to be the corner of a yard area. A that had been destroyed was probably a
small rectangle of brick [135], possibly a boiler room for the two Lancashire boilers
post pad, and a short length of damaged (see above).
brick drain [136] which contained
industrial residue (sample 2) were also Culvert [305] was formed of brick side
revealed within this area. Wall remnant walls and a brick floor and was at least
[101] slightly to the north, may have been 1.5m long, 1.6m wide and 0.6m high and
a later wall, or one recently demolished at aligned northwest-southeast. Water from
the time of mapping. the pump shaft would have been sent along
it to the Hospital Pound for the locks north
It seems that the sections of floors and of Ashted Tunnel. The pump shaft [304]
walls found in the northern part of the was of red brick in English Bond. It was
area: [194], [129], [130] and [127] (Fig 5) 2.74m in diameter and was excavated to a
were remnants of later buildings, possibly depth of 1.1m. It would have been a lot
even the 20th century bakery, as they do deeper than this in order to pump water up
not match walls on the Pigott-Smith map. from the Bottom Pound. It had been filled
with rubble and scrap, probably in the
Ashted Pumping Station (Figs 7, 10) early 1930s after demolition. An iron pipe
connected the pump shaft to the top of the
The ULAS evaluation had identified a condenser tank [301] (Fig 11). This brick-
substantial brick wall, a limestone block sided tank was slightly off square, two
and part of a circular brick structure on the sides being 2.5m wide, one 2.62m and one
site of the pumping station. 2.7m. The iron pipe ran in a brick-sided
passage overlain by a sandstone slab and
Machining was begun at the north end, then under the sandstone base for the beam
revealing the walls of the pumping station support and through the southeast facing
at a very shallow level. On the old OS map wall [307]. A large flanged iron pipe (313)
the pumping station is about 20m in length also protruded through this wall and there
but the southernmost 7m was found to was a sandstone collar [319] which
have been ‘grubbed out’. This had clearly probably held another pipe. In the
been done by a large mechanical excavator southwest-facing wall [308] (Plate 5) of
in the recent past with the backfill the tank another pipe (316) protruded
containing concrete paving slabs, through two sandstone collar blocks [314]
aluminium drinks cans and brown plastic and [315]. Iron pipe (311) protruded
cups. This work was probably done through a low brick supporting wall [312]
preparatory to the construction of the butting northwest-facing wall [309].
recently demolished very modern building, Unlike the others this pipe had been
the concrete foundations of which blocked off. Only the northeast-facing wall
remained in situ. [310] was free of pipes. The condenser
tank had also probably been backfilled in

6


the early 1930s with rubble including elsewhere: Mark Peachey
ironwork. Two shafts [335] and [336] • Comparison of the forms and
north and south of the condenser tank may fabrics of the crucibles with those
have been outlets for since-removed pipes. from other glasswork sites: Anne
Immediately southeast of the condenser Boyle
tank was a 3m wide block of brickwork • Analysis of the residues in the
[334] which would have formed the base crucibles: Bradford University
for the cylinder. This had been damaged (provisional)
on its north half by the siting of a concrete • Analysis of the other residues
plinth for the recently demolished modern samples on the two glassworks
building and on its south side by the sites: Val Fryer
‘grubbing out’. Immediately southeast of • Any other finds work: Anne Boyle,
this wall was a brick shute curving Gary Taylor
downwards towards the canal towpath. • Further documentary research on
Just before the point where the pumping all three sites and their local and
station had been ‘grubbed out’ were two regional context: Mark Peachey
metal slots on either side of the shute. • Further consultation with David
These appeared to have once held a small Crossley and Jim Andrew on the
sluice gate. The interpretation is that the interpretation of the sites
shute was a waste water outflow from the
boiler room. The small area of brick floor
adjacent to the shute was all that remained 7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
of this. There was another small
rectangular shaft [324] filled with sooty Archaeological Project Services wish to
material opposite the top end of the shute acknowledge the assistance of
and adjacent to outer wall [329]. Running Birmingham City Council for
immediately adjacent to this outer wall commissioning the fieldwork and post-
was iron pipe [331]. This was broken excavation analysis and of Helen Martin-
through by ‘grubbing out’ at the same Bacon of Wardell Armstrong. Informative
point as the remainder of the building and visits were made by David Crossley and
had a connection probably leading to pipe Jim Andrew. The work was coordinated by
[316] in the condenser tank. Mark Williams and Gary Taylor who
edited this report along with Tom Lane.
Part of the outer wall [341] of the pumping
station adjacent to the canal was also
recorded. This was 1.9m wide and 1.9m 8. PERSONNEL
high and in English bond. At right angles
to the above was a short section of wall Project Coordinator: Mark Williams
[342] which probably formed part of the (fieldwork), Gary Taylor (post-excavation)
old passage down to the canal. Site Supervisor: Mark Peachey
Site Team: Simon Birnie, Milena
Grzybowska, Christopher Killeen, Marek
6. POST-EXCAVATION TASK Lemiesz, Slawomir Szyszka
LIST AND PROGRAMME Surveying: Rachael Hall, Mary Nugent
Finds Processing: Denise Buckley
• Analysis and interpretation of the Photographic reproduction: Sue Unsworth
structural evidence from the Illustration: Mark Peachey, Sue Unsworth
excavations: Mark Peachey Post-excavation Analyst: Mark Peachey
• Comparison with similar sites

7


9. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Broadbridge, S. R, 1974 The Birmingham
Canal Navigations Vol 1

Cook, M., 2001 Desk-based assessment
and survey of land and standing structures
on the site of the former Belmont
Glassworks and Ashted Pumping Station,
Birmingham Independent Report

Crowley, T.E., 1976 Beam Engines Shire
Publications, Album 15

Dearborn Catalogue, Henry Ford Museum,
Detroit, USA

IFA, 1999, Standard and Guidance for
Archaeological Excavations.

Palmer, N., and Neaverson, P., 1998
Industrial Archaeology. Principles and
Practice Routledge

Red House Glass Cone guidebook nd.

Weaver, P., 1970 Railway and Canal
Historical Society Journal, July 1970 p59

Weaver, P., 1986 Railway and Canal
Historical Society Journal, March 1986
p291

10. ABBREVIATIONS

APS Archaeological Project Services

IFA Institute of Field Archaeologists

OS Ordnance Survey

ULAS University of Leicester
Archaeological Services

8

0 20 Km

Derbyshire

Staffordshire

100km

Leics
Shropshire

Walsall
Wolves

Sandwell

Dudley

Birmingham
Coventry
Solihull

Worcestershire Warwickshire

Figure 1 - General location plan

N

87

SP 08 Reproduced from Ordnance Survey
maps with the permission of
The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery
Office, Crown Copyright
HTL LTD Licence No AL5041A0001

Area shown on Fig 3

0 2km
Project Name: Birmingham Eastside BIES07

Scale 1:50000 Drawn by:MJP Report No: 2/08

Figure 2. Site Location Plan

N

La
d

wle
oa
R

yS
s
en

tre
nn

et
Je

Mi
dd
l ew
ay
Belmont Glassworks

th
o tpa
Fo

Belmont Row Glassworks

Ashted Pumping Station

Ca
nal
t ow
pa
th
Dig
be
th
Br
an
ch
C
an
al

Lock

Bel
mo
nt R
ow Archaeological Project Services
0 25m
Project Name:Birmingham Eastside BIES07

Scale 1:500 Drawn by:SU/MJP Report No: 2/08

Figure 3. Trench location plan

N

[049]

Fig 8

[060]
[054]

[044]
[046] [048]

[042]

(031)

[040]

[034]
[033] [008]

[032] [035]

KEY

Outline of glassworks buildings on 1889 OS map

0 7.5m


Figure 4. Belmont Glassworks site plan

N

[194]

[129]

[130]

[127]

[120]

[151]
(201) [147]
[202]

[101]
[141]

[139]
[133]

[135] [140]
[134] [146]
[136]

[132] [145]

[142]
[144] [143]

KEY

Outline of glassworks buildings on Pigott Smith
1850-55 map (adjusted 1.5m south: fits walls over cone)
0 7.5m


Figure 5. Belmont Row Glassworks site plan

[120]
[151] N

(121)

(201)
[202]

[147]

[101] (122)
(121)

[121]

[141]

[139]
Limit
of ex

[133] [140]
c av a
tion

[135]

[134] [146]
(122)
[121]

[136]

Fig 9
[132]

[203] (121)
[145] [122]

[144]

Overlay to paved area
(see right) [142]
(121) (143)

0 2m


Figure 6. Plan of cone [100]

N

th
o tp a
Fo

0]
[3 3

Fig 10 [306]

[305]

[304] [303]
[329]

[345]

[331]
[346]
Mo

[319]
der

[3 3
n

5]
pa
vin

Concrete block
7]
[3 0
g

[30
8]
[301] ]
Fig 11 26
[3
9]
[3

[3 0
10
]

[335] [331]
[334]

[324]
0]
[32
[323] 2 2]
[3

[321]
Mo
Ca

de
rn
na

wa
l to

ll
wp
ath
Di
gb
et
h
Br
an
ch
Ca
na
l

0 5m


Figure 7. Ashted Pumping Station plan

[054]

113.89m OD
(057)

(058) [055]

(059)
[056]

0 1m


Figure 8. Elevation of wall [054] and wall footings [055] and [056].

SE NW
115.10m OD
[145]

121

0 0.5m

Scale 1: 10 Drawn by:MJP Report No: 2/08

Figure 9. End elevation of cone wall [145]

NW
SE
114.27m OD
[340] Cylinder Base

[305] [318]
[334] [323]
Culvert [304]

[320]
Pump Shaft
[307] Condenser Tank [309]

[301]

0 5m Archaeological Project Services


Scale 1:75 Drawn by: MJP Report No: 2/08

Fig 10. Ashted Pumping Station Profile

Elev 20
Elev 19
NE NW
SW
Pipehole [319] SE

Pipe
Pipehole
[319] Pipe Flange (313) (313)
Bolt Hole Bolt
113.70m OD Bolt Pipe Flange 113.70m OD

(316)
[307] [308] [314]
[315]

recess

Elev 21 Elev 22
NW
NE
SE
SW

113.70m OD 113.70m OD

[310]
[309]

[312]
(311)

0 2m

Scale 1:40 Drawn by: SU Report No: 2/08

Figure 11. Elevations of condenser tank

Plate 1 Walls [042], [046],
[048] looking east, Belmont
Glassworks

Plate 2 Wall [054] looking SW,
Belmont Glassworks

Plate 3 General view of Cone
[100] looking NW, Belmont
Row Glassworks

Plate 4 General view of Ashted Pumping
Station looking west.

Plate 5 Wall [308] (Elevation 20)
of condenser pit [301], Ashted
Pumping Station

Plate 6 Pump shaft [304] and culvert
[305] looking NW, Ashted Pumping
Station

Plate 7 Water shute [322] looking
NE, Ashted Pumping Station

Appendix 1:
Specification for Archaeological Excavation of
The Ashted Pumping Station (SMR 20646),
Belmont Glassworks (SMR 20500) and
Belmont Row Glassworks (SMR 20503)

Appendix 2

CONTEXT SUMMARY

Context Area Description Interpretation Date
001 BG Friable mid brown silt with brick rubble 0.52m thick Topsoil
002 BG Firm mid brown red clay 0.34m thick Levelling
003 BG Soft mid grey clayey silt 0.53m thick Levelling
004 BG Soft mid brownish red crushed brick Demolition
005 BG Firm mid brownish red clayey silt 0.16m thick Demolition
006 BG Loose black charcoal with brick fragments 0.08m thick Demolition
007 BG Friable dark brownish red clayey silt with brick 0.33m thick Demolition
008 BG Red brick wall 2.45m long x 1.49m high x 0.56m wide Passageway wall
009 BG Demolition cut Cut
010 BG Black charcoal/silt with brick rubble 0.5m thick Levelling
011 BG Loose black silt with bricks 0.07m thick Levelling
012 BG Friable mid greyish brown silt 0.18m thick Levelling
013 BG Friable black charcoal/silt with brick rubble 0.12m thick Levelling
014 BG Friable mid greyish brown silt/rubble 0.1m thick Levelling
015 BG Rectangular cut 1.16m wide x 0.5m deep Construction cut
016 BG Friable dark brown silt 0.59m thick Fill of [015]
017 BG Firm dark brown loamy silt with brick frags 0.21m thick Dumped deposit
018 BG Loose black charcoal/silt 0.12m thick Dumped deposit
019 BG Cemented dark grey clayey silt 0.1m thick Levelling
020 BG Loose mid reddish brown silt/rubble 0.23m thick Levelling
021 BG Friable light brownish red mortar 0.09m thick Levelling
022 BG Firm dark brown silt 0.19m thick Levelling
023 BG Cemented dark grey silt 0.05m thick Levelling
024 BG Friable mid red sand 0.1m thick Demolition
025 BG Friable mid brown silt 0.2m thick Levelling
026 BG Friable mottled brown/yellow/grey loamy silt 0.22m thick Levelling
028 BG Loose black/dark brownish grey slag and silt 0.15m thick Dumped deposit
029 BG Vertical sided cut for wall [008] Construction cut
030 BG Finds from general loose rubble overburden Finds
031 BG Wooden object 1.33m long x 0.61m wide Tray
032 BG Red brick wall 1.73m long x 1.53m high Passageway wall
033 BG Wall 0.87m long x 1.6m high Brick wall
034 BG Brick wall 1.4m long x 1.82m high x 0.23m wide Blocked doorway
035 BG Red brick surface 2.47m long x 1.72m wide Passageway floor
036 BG Loose black silt, frequent slag 0.39m thick Dumped deposit
037 BG Loose mid reddish brown brick rubble 1.21m thick Rubble backfill
038 BG Red brick feature 1.65m long x 0.32m wide x 0.58m high Brick step
039 BG Friable dark orangey red sand Levelling
040 BG Red brick surface 1.8m long x 12m wide x 0.08m deep Brick floor
041 BG Friable dark brown silt with brick rubble Demolition
042 BG Brick wall 3.5m long x 0.35m wide x 0.39m deep Brick wall
043 BG Firm v. dark grey clinker 0.18m thick Cone waste
044 BG Brick surface remnant 0.5m x 0.3m Brick floor
045 BG Loose mid yellowish brown sand 0.33m thick Redeposited sand
046 BG Red brick wall 1m long x 0.6m wide x 0.15m deep Wall footing
047 BG Loose dark yellow sand Natural
048 BG Sloping brickwork 1.3m+ long x 0.5m wide x 0.8m deep Brick wall
049 BG Red brick wall 4.8m long x 0.5m wide x 0.65m deep Brick wall
050 BG Friable grey/brown clayey silt 0.3m thick Levelling
051 BG Loose mid to dark grey ash/charcoal 0.3m thick Dumped deposit
052 BG Friable dark greyish brown sandy silt 0.15m thick Rough surface
053 BG Friable mid yellowish greyish brown sandy silt 0.2m thick Rough surface
054 BG Brick wall with 2 arches 3.02m long x 0.12m wide x 0.57m
Supporting wall
high
055 BG Brick footing 0.73m long x 0.68m high Wall footing
056 BG Brick footing 1.52m long x 0.52m high Wall footing
057 BG Firm striped yellow/brown/grey sand 0.45m thick Layer
058 BG Soft mid reddish brown clay 0.53m thick Layer
059 BG Firm mid brownish grey sand 0.37m thick Layer
060 BG Red brick wall 0.8m long x 0.24m wide x 0.19m deep Brick wall


100 BRG Red brick roughly circular wall 11m diameter, 0.81m wide. Glass cone group
English bond. number
101 BRG Red brick wall 0.94m long x 0.34m wide x 0.31m high Brick wall
102 BRG Loose dark brownish grey clayey sand/rubble 0.75m thick Rubble backfill
103 BRG Friable light brown clayey sand 0.33m thick Dumped deposit
104 BRG Soft dark greyish brown clay 0.46m thick Dumped deposit
105 BRG Soft light red clay with red bricks 0.24m thick Dumped deposit
106 BRG Loose yellow/orange clayey sand 0.05m thick Dumped deposit
107 BRG Soft light brownish grey clay 0.19m thick Dumped deposit
108 BRG Friable dark brownish grey clayey sand 0.33m thick Dumped deposit
109 BRG Soft reddish clay 0.19m thick Dumped deposit
111 BRG Soft orange sandy clay 0.35m thick Dumped deposit
112 BRG Soft brownish orange clayey sand 0.31m thick Dumped deposit
113 BRG Loose dark grey mottled orange silt 0.26m thick Dumped deposit
114 BRG Soft orange clay with bricks 0.42m thick Dumped deposit
115 BRG Loose light brownish yellow sand 0.4m thick Dumped deposit
116 BRG Loose light brownish grey sand 0.31m thick Dumped deposit
118 BRG Loose dark grey silty sand 0.21m thick Dumped deposit
120 BRG Curvilinear red brick wall 4.45m long x 0.59m wide x
Part of [100]
0.95m high
121 BRG Firm greyish orange sand Natural?
122 BRG Loose dark grey sandy silt with brick rubble, cans etc Rubble backfill
123 BRG Loose mid brown sand 0.47m thick Dumped deposit
124 BRG Loose light brown greyish sand 0.2m thick Dumped deposit
125 BRG Loose dark grey sand 0.2m thick Dumped deposit
126 BRG Loose mid brownish yellow sand Dumped deposit
127 BRG Red brick wall 1.02m long x 0.23m wide x 0.21m high Brick wall remnant
128 BRG Firm greyish brown silty clay 0.2m thick Layer
130 BRG Red brick floor 1.5m x 1.78m Brick floor
131 BRG Soft reddish brown clay 0.07m thick Floor makeup level
132 BRG Red /yellow brick surface 1.4m x 0.89m Brick floor
134 BRG Red brick wall 2.12m long x 0.45m wide Brick wall
135 BRG Red brick footing 0.62m x 0.47m Brick footing
136 BRG Red/yellow brick feature 0.76m x 0.3m Brick gulley
137 BRG Very loose mid to dark green silty sand 0.04m thick Fill of [136]
138 BRG Damaged red brick footing 0.44m wide Brick footing
139 BRG Rectangular brick structure 1.97m long x 1.22m wide Inspection chamber
140 BRG Cement within [139] 1.5m x 1m Floor of [139]
141 BRG Rectangular yellow brick feature 0.3m x 0.3m Post pad?
142 BRG Rectangular blue brick feature 0.68m x 0.7m Bakery plinth?
144 BRG Red brick wall 1.6m long x 0.48m deep x 0.35m wide Brick wall
145 BRG Curvilinear brick wall 5m long x 0.81m wide x 0.65m high Part of [100]
146 BRG Curvilinear brick wall 3.52m long x 0.57m wide x 0.5m
Part of [100]
high
147 BRG Curvilinear brick wall 2.04m long x 0.73m wide x 0.47m
Part of [100]
high
148 BRG Fairly loose greyish black clinker up to 0.1m thick Dumped deposit
149 BRG Fairly compacted crushed red brick and lime mortar up to
Dumped deposit
0.28m thick
150 BRG Friable dark greyish brown clayey sand Fill of [204]
151 BRG Red brick wall remnant 0.5m x 0.45m x 0.27m Brick wall
152 BRG Soft dark greyish brown clay 0.3m thick Levelling
153 BRG Soft dark grey sandy charcoal 0.06m thick Dumped deposit
154 BRG Loose light brown sandy clay 0.2m thick Dumped deposit
155 BRG Dark greyish brown clayey sand 0.16m thick Dumped deposit
156 BRG Soft light greyish brown sandy clay 0.21m thick Dumped deposit
157 BRG Friable reddish orange clay 0.46m thick Wall make-up
158 BRG Soft greyish brown clay 0.27m thick Dumped deposit


159 BRG Firm light brown clay 0.17m thick Dumped deposit
160 BRG Loose light brown sand 0.2m thick Dumped deposit
161 BRG Firm greyish orange sand Natural
162 BRG Friable dark grey clayey sand 0.23m thick Dumped deposit
163 BRG Firm yellow sandy clay 0.15m thick Dumped deposit
164 BRG Compacted yellowish white mortar 0.15m thick Dumped deposit
165 BRG Firm yellowish white lime mortar 0.31m thick Levelling
166 BRG Firm dark grey clinker 0.07m thick Levelling
167 BRG Very loose dark grey charcoal/clinker up to 0.14m thick Levelling
168 BRG Loose reddish brown silty sandy clay up to 0.14m thick Levelling
169 BRG Loose mid reddish brown redeposited sand 0.11m thick Levelling
170 BRG Friable whitish brown sandy silt 0.11m thick Levelling
171 BRG Friable whitish grey coarse sand 0.17m thick Levelling
172 BRG Soft whitish brown sandy clay 0.09m thick Levelling
173 BRG Soft red sandy silt 0.04m thick Lens
174 BRG Soft dark reddish brown sandy silt 0.13m thick Dumped deposit
175 BRG Loose mottled white brownish red coarse sand 0.18m thick Floor makeup
176 BRG Compact yellowish red silt 0.17m thick Dumped deposit
178 BRG Loose mid reddish brown redeposited sand 0.1m thick Dumped deposit
179 BRG Fairly firm mid greyish brown silty sand 0.18m thick Fill of [204]
180 BRG Soft dark reddish brown sandy silt 0.05m thick Dumped deposit
181 BRG Friable mid greyish brown sandy silty clay 0.08m thick Fill of [204]
182 BRG Fairly firm mid greyish brown silty clay 0.05m thick Floor makeup
183 BRG Block floor same as [203] Block floor
188 BRG Loose dark brownish grey silty sand up to 0.3m thick Fill of [204]
189 BRG Friable dark greyish brown clayey sand 0.3m thick Fill of [204]
190 BRG Compacted crushed brick and lime mortar up to 0.3m thick Dumped deposit
191 BRG Firm very dark brown silty sand 0.06m thick Floor make-up
192 BRG Large yellow block floor 1.07m wide Block floor
193 BRG Soft grey sandy clay 2.8m x 1.4m Floor make-up
194 BRG Brick floor 4.5m x 2.3m Floor surface
195 BRG Friable light brown clay 0.06m thick Dumped deposit
196 BRG Very loose dark grey clinker 0.09m thick Dumped deposit
197 BRG Friable greyish yellow clayey sand 0.09m thick Dumped deposit
198 BRG Loose mid brown clayey sand 0.09m thick Dumped deposit
199 BRG Friable mid brown sandy clay 0.09m thick Dumped deposit
200 BRG Compact white mortar 0.15m thick Dumped deposit
201 BRG Friable mottled grey/brown sandy clay 0.3m thick Fill of [202]
202 BRG Curvilinear cut 2.8m long seen, 0.35m wide, 0.3m deep Cone wall [120]
construction cut
203 BRG Yellow block floor 0.93m x 0.94m x 0.11m high Block floor
204 BRG Cut of pit 1m wide by 0.5m+ deep Cut of pit

300 APS Machining finds Finds
301 APS Condenser pit group number Condenser pit 1812
302 APS Loose dark grey ash/clinker 1m+ deep Fill of [336] 1930s?
303 APS Red/blue brick surface 9.75m long, 1.8m wide, 0.08m deep Yard surface 20th C?
304 APS Circular red brick shaft 2.74m diameter, 1.1m+ deep Pump shaft 1812
305 APS Linear brick culvert 1.5m+ long, 1.6m wide, 0.6m high Culvert 1812
306 APS Red brick wall 1.17m long x 0.67m wide x 0.3m+ deep North end wall 1812
307 APS SE facing wall of [301] 2.7m wide, up to 2.3m high Brick wall 1812
308 APS SW facing wall of [301] 2.5m wide, up to 2.5m high Brick wall 1812
309 APS NW facing wall of [301] 2.62m wide, up to 2.12m high Brick wall 1812
310 APS NE facing wall of [301] 2.5m wide, 2.35m high Brick wall 1812
311 APS Iron inlet pipe within wall [309]. 0.3m diameter Water inlet pipe 1812
312 APS Brick wall 1.1m x 0.7m x 0.7m high, abuts [309] Pipe support wall 1812
313 APS Iron pipe 0.4m long, 0.2m diameter, flange 0.36m diameter Water pipe 1812
314 APS Worked sandstone block 0.5m long, 0.2m thick, part of wall Pipe housing
1812
[308] (upper)
315 APS Worked sandstone block 0.5m long, 0.2m thick, part of wall Pipe housing
1812
[308] (lower)


316 APS Iron water pipe 0.15m diameter Water pipe 1812
317 APS Sandstone block 0.7m long x 0.2m deep with 0.12m deep Possible groove for
1812
groove, part of wall [307] removed pipe
318 APS Iron water pipe 2.67m long x 0.12m diameter Water pipe 1812
319 APS Sandstone block 1.3m long x 0.9m wide x 0.4m deep with Base for beam
1812
a metal bolt in it support
320 APS Brick floor 3.95m x 1m, broken away to south Probable boiler
1812
room floor
321 APS Curving brick wall 1.7m long South wall of [322] 1812
322 APS Curving, sloping brick feature 2.21m long, 0.43m wide Water chute 1812
323 APS Curving brick wall 3.94m long, 0.54m wide x 1.28m at
North wall of [322] 1812
deepest
324 APS Brick shaft 1.24m long x 0.54m wide x 0.82m deep Flue? 1812
325 APS Soft blue black silt 0.82m thick Fill of [324] 1930s?
326 APS Red brick wall 1.67m long x 1m wide x 0.6m high Later brick wall 20th C?
327 APS Compact black silty sand 0.17m thick Dumped deposit
328 APS Firm yellowish brown sand 0.42m thick Fill of [332]
329 APS Red brick wall 13.5m long x 2.17m high x 0.7m wide East side wall 1812
330 APS NE-SW aligned iron pipe 0.04m diameter Mains connection? 20th C?
331 APS NW-SE aligned iron pipe 11m long, 0.14m diameter Water pipe 1812
332 APS Linear cut for [331] 11m+ long x 0.6m wide x 0.42m deep Pipe trench 1812
333 APS Soft yellowish brown sand 0.15m thick Levelling
334 APS Red brick wall 4.2m long x 3m wide x 1.3m thick Cylinder base 1812
335 APS Rectangular red brick shaft 1m x 0.9m x 0.35m Brick shaft 1812
336 APS Rectangular red brick shaft 0.9m x 0.7m x 1m+ deep Brick shaft 1812
337 APS Loose dark grey clinker/rubble/iron 2.3m thick Backfill of [301] 1930s?
338 APS Red brick wall 0.9m long x 0.44m wide x 0.1m depth seen Brick wall 1812
339 APS Stiff dark red clay Lower fill of [336]
340 APS Iron girder above culvert [305] 1.38m long x 0.12m x Possibly roof
0.07m support for culvert
341 APS Canalside brick wall of pumping station 1.89m x 1.91m External wall 1812
342 APS Yellow brick wall 1.5m x 1.7m Passage wall
343 APS Brick wall 1.4m high x 1.21m wide Adjacent wall to
pumping station
344 APS Firm yellowish brown sand probably redeposited natural Floor around [304]
345 APS Brick built feature aligned NW-SE 1.8m long x 0.7m wide
Pipe channel 1812
x 0.2m deep
346 APS Sandstone slab 0.84m x 0.64m Slab within [345]


Appendix 3

THE FINDS

INTRODUCTION
A moderately large, mixed assemblage of artefacts, comprising 514 items weighing a total of
145305g, was recovered. Items of pottery and glass were particularly abundant, together accounting
for about 70% of the total assemblage, and both collections contained industrial waste. In addition,
there were ceramic building materials, clay pipes, metals, stone and other materials. Industrial
activity and processes were also apparent in the assemblages of metal and other materials.

POST MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN POTTERY
By Gary Taylor and Dr. Anne Boyle

Introduction
All the material was recorded at archive level in accordance with the guidelines laid out in
Slowikowski et al. The pottery codenames (Cname) are in accordance with the Post Roman pottery
type series for Lincolnshire (Young et al. 2005) as codenames for West Midlands pottery are still in
development (Pers comm. Stephanie Ratkai). Two hundred and sixty-two sherds from two hundred
and twenty-five vessels, weighing 30,894 grams were recovered from the site.

Methodology
The material was laid out and viewed in context order. Sherds were counted and weighed by
individual vessel within each context. The pottery was examined visually and using x20
magnification. This data was then added to an Access database.

Results
A summary of the pottery is presented in table 1. An archive list of the pottery is included in
appendix 4.


Table 1, Summary of the pottery by count and weight
Cname Full name Earliest Latest NoS NoV W (g)
date date
BL Black-glazed wares 1550 1750 28 25 1607
CREA Creamware 1770 1830 25 22 329
CRUC Crucible - - 5 4 8266
ENGS Unspecified English Stoneware 1900 10 10 1290
ENPO English Porcelain 6 6 91
KFURN Kiln Furniture - - 28 28 1729
MY Midlands Yellow ware 1550 1650 1 1 9
NCBW 19th-century Buff ware 1800 1900 1 1 4
PEARL Pearlware 1770 1900 19 15 220
SAGGAR Saggar - - 13 13 15568
SLIP Unidentified slipware 1650 1750 1 1 22
SWSG Staffordshire White Saltglazed 1700 1770 2 2 95
stoneware
TGW Tin-glazed ware 5 4 36
UCE Unglazed Cream Earthenware 3 2 156
UENPO Unglazed English Porcelain- 27 27 953
type (Generic)
UWE Unglazed White Earthenware 73 50 349
WHITE Modern whiteware 1850 1900 15 14 170
TOTAL: 262 225 30894

Provenance
The provenance of much of the pottery is hard to ascertain as many of the wares in the assemblage
were manufactured at a variety of places around the country. Whilst the Staffordshire potteries
supplied some of the pottery found on the site, other producers (for example in Derbyshire,
Yorkshire and the southern counties) are equally likely sources. The industrial vessels are likely to
be locally made from refractory clays, with white pipe clay used for the props.

Range
The majority of the pottery dates to the 19th century. The 18th century is represented by Black-,
Yellow-, Staffordshire White Salt glazed and Tin Glazed Earthenware. Pearl- and Creamwares can
date this early, though the forms in this assemblage are more typical of the 19th century.

The Unglazed White, Cream and English Porcelain-type vessels are more difficult to date. The
cream bodied wares are brown slipped and the finished vessels may have resembled Mocha ware.
This would date these vessels to the early 19th century, as from the 1830s a white body was used.
This material appears in the same context (030) as the unglazed English Porcelain-types which are


more likely to be of mid/late to late 19th century date. The Unglazed White Earthenwares may date
to the 19th century. The industrial vessels are undateable but are probably associated with the
Glassworks and are therefore 19th century.

Condition
The pottery is in variable condition with small abraded sherds occurring in the same contexts as
larger, fresher fragments. The average sherd weight (excluding the industrial vessels and props) is
twenty-one grams. Most of the vessels are represented by single sherds; the notable exception being
the unglazed vessels. The one hundred and three sherds that fall into the unglazed category
represent a maximum of seventy-nine vessels. The industrial vessels are all represented by large,
fresh fragments. Most have internal industrial residues of glass and have obviously undergone high
temperatures due to their vitrified appearance.

Potential
The assemblage is interesting because of the number of unglazed vessels which may relate to pottery
manufacture on or in the vicinity of the site. A link between pottery and glass manufacture is
possible and worthy of further investigation. The industrial vessels can potentially reveal details of
the manufacturing techniques used at the glassworks.

Pottery
Several of the vessels in the assemblage would benefit from further work to identify their
provenance and refine their dating. This would require consultation with the relevant specialists and
further reading of published material. The unglazed vessels merit similar work and, if confirmed as
production waste, should be considered in relation to existing knowledge of the local pottery
industry. If unparalleled, the unglazed vessels may warrant a type-series to be created. Some of the
vessels will require illustration.

Industrial Vessels
Saggars/fritting trays
Several oval/round shallow refractory vessels with straight sides were recovered from the site.
These have varying diameters but apparently fall into small and large sizes. Several of these contain


glass residues, either as clear glass or frit. The purpose of these vessels is yet to be determined
though it seems possible they were used during the fritting process. The other possibility is that
these vessels are connected to pottery manufacture.

Crucibles
Examples of crucibles are present. These are highly vitrified but are likely to have been made of
refractory clay. The only shape that is present is tall and tapering.

Props
Examples of circular props and packing strips are also present in the assemblage. These are made
from primary clay and do not bear any signs of having been fired at high temperatures. Whether
these are associated with glass or pottery production is not yet clear.

These industrial vessels and furniture require more in-depth quantification. Measurements of rim
and base diameters and height should be made. The vessels and props should be ordered into a
typological classification if possible and examples illustrated. The relevant specialists should be
consulted. The assemblage should be considered in light of the published evidence and a synthetic
analysis of the assemblage should be produced.

Recommendations
The following recommendations are required to analyse the assemblage and produce a publication
report.

1. Consultation with the following
David Barker, Staffordshire pottery specialist
Stephanie Ratkai, West Midlands pottery specialist
Derek Hurst, West Midlands pottery specialist
David Crossley

2. Research
Comparing the BIES07 assemblage to similar published sites (2 days)


Consult type-series or ceramic collections held at Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham and the British
Museum if necessary

3. Update Archive
Updating archive to include vessel measurements and refined dating/provenance (1 day)
Typology of the industrial vessels, props and unglazed vessels (1 day)
Illustration of ca. thirty vessels

Published report
The publication report will contain the following sections:
Summary of the pottery based on the archive
Discussion of the pottery by ceramic phase
Discussion of the pottery by site phase
Synthesis with other sites (includes the results of recommendation 2)
Illustration catalogue (based on recommendation 3)

To produce a full publication report will take a maximum of 6 days (depending on the length and
style of publication)

CERAMIC BUILDING MATERIAL
By Dr. Anne Boyle

Introduction
All the material was recorded at archive level in accordance with the guidelines laid out in the
ACBMG guidelines (2001). Thirty-five fragments of building material, weighing 103, 579 grams
are present in the assemblage. This includes a representative sample of bricks from structures on the
site.

Methodology
The material was laid out and viewed in context order in an unwashed state. Fragments were
counted and weighed by within each context. This data was then added to an Access database.


Results
A summary of the pottery is presented in table 2. An archive list of the ceramic building material is
included in appendix 4.
Table 2, Summary of the ceramic building material by count and weight
Cname Full name NoF W (g)
BRK Brick 31 103346
MODDRAIN Modern land drain 3 217
MODTIL Modern tile 1 16
TOTAL: 35 103579

Provenance
The bricks are likely to be locally manufactured. A single brick was stamped with a maker based in
Stourbridge. Several occur in a refractory fabric which is macroscopically similar to the fabric used
for the industrial vessels.

Range
Most of the bricks are solid handmade bricks which cannot be closely dated but are probably of 18th
or 19th century date. A few have early industrial frogging, which suggests they are later and post
date the late 18th century. Some of the bricks are vitrified and have slag/fuel ash deposits adhering to
them. The drain and tile fragments also date to this period.

Condition
The bricks are mostly complete and in fresh condition. One brick from (035) appears to be worn and
may have been reused. The tile is more fragmentary and does not include any complete examples.

Potential
The assemblage holds limited potential for further work. A selection of the bricks (ca. 10% of the
assemblage) should be retained and re-examined once processed. At this stage, the ceramic building
material archive can be updated if necessary. It is unlikely any of the bricks or tile will require
illustration.


Recommendations
Re-examination of the retained material (1 day)
Summary of the bricks for the publication report (0.5 day)

GLASS
By Rachael Hall

Introduction
During archaeological investigations undertaken at Eastside, Birmingham 100 fragments of glass
weighing a total of 5899g were recovered from the three excavation areas. The small assemblage
comprised mainly 19th-20th glass, including residues that might be presumed to be associated with
the glassworks which once stood on the site. The majority of the glass recovered during the
excavations derives from deposits associated with the clearance of the glassworks and later remedial
works at the sites resulting in residual finds of glass associated with the earlier glass works. The
assemblage is summarised below as Table 3.

Results
Table 3, Glass Archive
Context Description NoF W (g) Date
030 Colourless, waste trail, 19th century 1 8 20th century
Opaque white, fire-rounded rim-slightly splayed, 19th century 1 8
Opaque white glass adhered to opaque blue glass, vessel sherd 1 2
Orange, mould-produced with moulded embossed decoration, horizontal lines 1 12
and floral decoration, vessel sherd, 20th century
Green, mould-produced bottle, body sherd with embossed advertising ‘B.C…’ 1 32
Green, base of mould-produced bottle with pinched embossed decoration 1 8
around edge
Pale green, circular internal stopper lid, knocking off scar on the underside. 1 70
Moulded embossed advertising around lid edge ‘RIGHT & CO AVONSHIRE’,
19th century
Pale green, base of cylindrical bottle, wear on the base and punt mark ’14..’. 1 116
Moulded embossed advertising on body section, obscured by break ‘..HAW &
CO..MAKERS..I HELENS’, 19th century


Pale green, body sherd of mould-produced cylindrical bottle, 19th century 1 92
Pale green, mould-produced cylindrical bottle, wear on the base, oval panel 1 330
with moulded embossed advertising obscured by break
‘G…BIRMINGHAM…D’, 19th century
Colourless, waste trail, 19th century 1 2
Colourless nugget of waste glass, flat top, chipped along edges 1 540
Pale green nugget of waste glass, one flat side 1 270
Colourless nugget of waste glass 1 124
Assorted glass slags and waste residues, bubbly characteristics, charcoal/coal 10 536
contained within several of the residues
043 Assorted glass residues and waste trails 5 60
Blue, part of small disc with grozing along edge 1 2
051 Pale green, mould-produced cylindrical bottle (body sherd), iridescence, 19th 1 100 19th century
century
Pale blue, mould-produced square bottle (body sherd), iridescence, 19th 1 12
century
Colourless, mould-produced cylindrical bottle (body sherd), 19th century 1 12
Colourless, plate window glass, 19th century 3 22
Colourless, possible sherd of cylindrical bottle, poor condition-some possible 1 36
heat damage
Colourless, small chips of glass 3 6
Colourless, possible sherd of bottle, heat cracking 1 2
Colourless, small vessel sherds, one with iridescence 3 2
Bright blue (Bristol), small chip of glass 1 1
Colourless, small waste nugget 1 1
Colourless, small cone of glass, with bell end chipped off 1 4
054 Green, moulded-cylindrical bottle (body sherd), 19th century 1 9 20th century
Colourless, window glass, 20t h century 1 3
Colourless, small nugget of waste glass, two flat sides 1 24
Colourless, moulded ribbed window glass, poss cupboard door glass 1 60
Colourless, base of moulded bottle/jar, some wear on base, 20th century 1 22
Colourless, base of moulded bottle/jar, 20th century 1 8
Colourless, out-turned fire-rounded rim of straight sided vesssel, iridescence 1 2
Colourless, small cylindrical trail 1 1
Green, vessel sherd 1 1
Colourless, vessel sherd, with iridescence 1 1


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