The Deerhurst pots

This paper discusses two pottery vessels discovered under the floor of St Mary’s Church, Deerhurst, during the restoration of 1861–2. It has long been thought likely that these vessels were of Roman origin. However, drawings published at the time of the discovery have now come to light and show that the vessels were of much later date. The date and possible functions of these vessels are discussed; it is considered most likely that they were intended as acoustic jars. Consideration is also given to the implications for the Roman origins of Deerhurst.