Roman kiln to be returned to its home in Highgate Wood

The Roman clay kiln, the only one of its kind in London, was discovered during excavations of Roman pottery across half a hectare of the northern end of the wood between 1966 and 1974 and has since been housed at Bruce Castle Museum in Haringey.

Archaeologists believe the kiln was used by craftsmen between 50AD and 150AD to produce a type of pottery called Highgate Wood Ware. The pots were a dark colour, often in a shape that resembled a poppy seed head. They were traded at markets have been discovered in excavations as far away as Colchester and Lincoln.

Young people from across north London will re-enact the use of the Roman kiln during two weeks in July with a professional potter who will help design, make and dry clay pots, and build a replica of the original kiln to fire pots using the same methods the Romans would have done.

The £20,000 project is a collaboration between the Museum of London, Haringey Council and the City of London Corporation, which manages Highgate Wood, and is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World.

Stories of the World aims to encourage museums to team up with young people to re-interpret museum collections and historic sites.

Michael Welbank, chairman of Highgate Wood Management Committee at the City of London Corporation, said: “I am delighted this rare kiln will come back to its original site in Highgate Wood. This was a fascinating time in history which really put Highgate on the map and hopefully the return of the kiln will spark interest in the wood with new visitors so they can discover for themselves what a special place it is.”

Deborah Hedgecock, curator at Bruce Castle Museum, said: “This is an important site and a unique survival of a kiln in London. Our project is a one-off opportunity for the young people to use their imagination and creative talents. This will be a wonderful hands-on experience for them, being literally in touch with the ancient past and their local heritage.”