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Click on http://manor-lodge.dept.shef.ac.uk for more information about the dig, including images, history, and fieldwork findings.

Thursday 14 July 2011

Day 23: Wednesday the 13th of July

Having undergone extensive rehabilitation in a small island off the coast of Cuba ...

The blogger returns ...

Occasioning ecstatic scenes of celebration at manor lodge:

Cheering crowds ...
... and delirious adulation.
 Today: small finds special!

Decorated wood

Painted plaster

A lead musket ball (right) posing with his brother, a used musket ball featured on day 12

A 17th century clay pipe

We can tell that this pipe is from around the 17th century as the bowl is smaller and more bulbous than more recent examples.

This find also has decoration around the rim (milling), which is characteristic of earlier pipes.

The decoration on this pipe reads 'BENIAMIN MAZDEN' (read: Benjamin). This is likely to be the maker's name, although attempts to trace him have thus far been unsuccessful. Post excavation analysis and consultation of pipe maker catalogues should reveal more. This year and last year we have found pipes made by the Wild pipe manufacturing family of Rotherham, but this is the first pipe we have bearing this name.

Find of the day was a rather larger specimen:
 
A (hopefully) whole saggar embedded into the section of a sondage in trench 22


It seems to be part of a general demolition layer, perhaps related to the 18th century kiln and associated workshop in this area.
Meanwhile, in Alvaro's trench:

A slot was excavated in the robber trench to investigate its fill, which, it turns out, consists of mainly stones and mortar.
Matt engaged in some household chores.

Some challenging sections were drawn.

Whilst Alvaro, acutely aware that only three days remain, attempted to improve efficiency by flapping his arms and taking to the skies.

Modern art of the day: 'Labelled Owl on Archaeological Drawing', Kate B, 2011. The owl, renowned for its keen eyesight, symbolises the meticulous care with which archaeologists draw sections and plans.

And finally ...

The return of the blogger also sees the return of the archaeology top trumps. Today, Alvaro:

2 comments:

  1. Regarding the clay pipe ... There was a Benjamin Marsden clay pipe maker in Rotherham that, according to one online source, was in the business between the years 1737 and 1749.

    I know, Marsden isn't Mazden, but they sometimes did funny things with names and spelling back then (...not unlike today, actually).

    Mike

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    Replies
    1. I think I am that "online source" and Benjamin Mazden (Marsden) are one in the same. He was a Rotherham pipemaker who's pipes turn up in Sheffield - like so many other Rotherham makers include Thomas Wild, William Wild, John Wild, Jonathan Crosland. Benjamin's dates are taken based on his marriage date (1737) and dates at which he was producing children(up to 1749). He will almost certainly have been working a little before and after these dates, but so far I've not traced him in the documentary records.

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