CERAMIC KILN FROM THE MEDIEVAL SETTLEMENT AT THE PETROVA NIVA LOCALITY, SBORYANOVO ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE

Abstract

This article examines a single-chamber kiln from the medieval settlement at the Petrova Niva locality, Sboryanovo Archaeological Reserve (northeastern Bulgaria, Isperih municipality). The kiln was dug into the ground and has a circular plan with a channel open to the southwest and leading to a two-level oval stoking pit. Pottery sherds that can be unequivocally defined as waster were not recorded in its backfill. Similar medieval facilities and arguments for the proposed identification of the structure discussed here as a pottery production facility are reviewed. Both stratigraphic observations and the characteristics of the ceramic assemblage from the kiln’s backfill and the stoking pit have been used as arguments for the kiln’s date. Based on them the kiln is dated to the mid-9th c.

Keywords

• Middle Ages
• 9th c.
• single-chamber pottery kiln
• settlement
• Sboryanovo Archaeological Reserve
• Petrova Niva locality