Services
I offer a range of services to clients, ranging from the rapid assessment of assemblages to the undertaking of specialist petrological or usewear analysis. I am also available to offer training and advice to archaeological units or archaeological societies.
Pottery Analysis
I am able to undertake assessment or analysis of post-Roman pottery assemblages to ensure that the potential of these finds is met. I am also able to undertake analysis of clay tobacco pipes and assessment of post-Roman ceramic building material.
The services I offer range from small scale assessment to the production of a comprehensive report. A typical assessment consists of:
Quantification of the material based upon ware/fabric type, using sherd count, sherd weight and vessel count, following the guidelines outlined by the Medieval Pottery Research Group.
Analysis of the pottery from individual contexts.
An assessment of the potential of an assemblage, following the standards devised by the Medieval Pottery Research Group.
Further analytical services include a more comprehensive analysis of the pottery, including detailed analysis of fabric, form and decoration. Where possible I always aim to integrate my work into existing scholarship and to correlate an assemblage to established local type series. As well as having a wide knowledge of pottery from southern England I am also familiar with a wide range of imported wares, particularly those from northern and south-western France.
Petrological Analysis
Petrological (or thin section) analysis is a means of undertaking detailed analysis of pottery fabric. In particular I specialise in the analysis of samples from sedimentary areas of southern England (having undertaken analysis of material from Sussex and Hampshire, for example). Analysis is undertaken in collaboration with the University of Southampton's Centre for Applied Archaeological Analyses.
Usewear Analysis
Analysis of sooting patterns and attritional indicators is rarely carried out on medieval pottery, but offers great potential for understanding elements of economy (for example provisioning strategies) and domestic life (such as cooking practices). I have developed methodologies and recording systems for the undertaking of this analysis through my doctoral research. This analysis is particularly well suited to pottery excavated from domestic contexts.
Training
I am able to offer training in pottery identification or elements of ceramic analysis to any interested groups or individuals, including archaeological units, local groups and universities. I have a range of experience ranging from lecturing to running practical seminars and workshops in the field.
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