Kiln cuts into top of backfilled ditches. (See MNT27623)

This partially exposed but presumed rounded feature was c.2.50m in diameter, 0.82m deep, and was lined with a thin layer of heat affected reddish orange silts / sandy graveL. The lower fill in the body of the feature was white lime, degraded ash and mortar fragments. The mortar has been identified as possible medieval, and as having smoothed surfaces such as on a floor or wall, with layers showing a smooth white surface over a rougher brown lime mortar. This was covered by sandy gravel, from which several heat-affected limestone were recovered. Coal, charcoal and window glass from have been identified as early modern in date. (1)

The presence mortar in the base of this feature would suggest this was a lime kiln. Lime, or quicklime, was used in Britain since the Roman period as a building material and also had industrial uses, such as bleaching for paper, preparation of skins in tanning or soil improvement. The only available dating evidence was derived from the latest fill of the feature – early modern window glass, which would suggest the kiln dates from the postmedieval period, assuming the body of the feature was backfilled soon after its use. The characteristics are of a single use “clamp kiln”; flare and draw kilns in this period tend to be brick built more permanent structures. Clamp kilns are often single use features and have been used into the 20th century, often as part of soil enrichment, although the proximity of this feature to the Hall might suggest that it was connected with some works on the building, perhaps plaster, mortar or limewash. (1)

<1> A. Lane, 2020, Land at Kelham Hall, Main Road, Kelham, Nottinghamshire, NG23 5QX: Archaeological Evaluation Report, p.15 (Unpublished document). SNT5258.