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Ancient Roman kiln goes on display for first time

City of London Corporation A close-up of the ancient Roman pottery kiln with eroded stone and brick walls, showing a weathered, sunken structure used for high-temperature firing.City of London Corporation
The kiln dates back to around AD50 and AD160

An ancient Roman kiln to go on display in north London for the first time following extensive restoration work.

The kiln, first unearthed by archaeologists in 1968, is said to be the most complete Roman pottery kiln discovered in London.

It is going on display as part of the Highgate Wood Community Heritage Day before getting its own dedicated visitor centre.

Haringey Council, which received a £243,550 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the kiln's restoration, said it hoped it would act as a "great tourist attraction" for the area.

The kiln is thought to be the last built by Roman potters who worked in Highgate Wood between AD50 and AD160 to supply Londinium, the capital of Roman Britain.

City of London Corporation A full shot of the ancient Roman pottery kiln with eroded stone and brick walls, showing a weathered, sunken structure used for high-temperature firing, in the information centre where it is being displayedCity of London Corporation
The kiln is being displayed at the Highgate Wood Information Centre

In Roman times, a kiln was used to fire pottery, hardening the clay into durable ceramic items like pots, tiles, and other everyday objects.

Haringey Council’s Labour deputy leader Sarah Williams said: “With Haringey gearing up to be the London Borough of Culture in 2027, it’s fantastic that the newly restored Roman kiln is making a long-awaited return to its rightful place after a 56-year absence.”

City of London Corporation The image shows a small wooden exhibition room where two workers are on the floor, installing the ancient Roman kiln display. A person with grey hair stands nearby, watching the process. City of London Corporation
A permanent visitors centre will be established for the kiln

As part of the heritage day, a replica kiln will be fired, demonstrating how the original kiln would have operated.

William Upton KC, chair of the City of London Corporation’s (CLC) Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, said: "Until recently, the pieces of this extraordinary find have been inaccessible to the public.

"It will be the only pottery kiln of its kind to be exhibited anywhere in the country."

He added that the CLC, which manages Highgate Wood, would turn the information hut where the kiln is being exhibited into a dedicated visitor centre.

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