Public given chance to see 18th century tobacco pipe factory discovered by archaeologists in Bath
This article originally appeared on Culture24.
Archaeologists to welcome visitors to tobacco pipe factory first opened more than 200 years ago
Members of the public are being invited to see the early stages of an archaeological excavation which has already revealed fascinating insights to one of the less well-known aspects of Bath's past© Cotswold ArchaeologyTwo human-size kilns were among the discoveries at Bridewell Lane, where the development will open to visitors on Halloween for insights into a lesser-known aspect of the city’s past.
An archaeological trial trench dug in 2011 located two pipe kilns and over 4,000 pieces of clay tobacco pipe© Cotswold Archaeology“It was run by Joseph Smith, who had several kilns working on the site, but probably not those revealed during the archaeological excavation in 2015.
“In 1810 the factory was acquired by another pipe maker, James Clarke. The factory was run by Joseph Sants from 1835 until it was eventually forced to close in 1851.
© Cotswold Archaeology“As work progresses we expect to reveal further remains associated with the medieval, and later Georgian, houses that once stood along Bridewell Lane.”
More than 4,000 pieces of clay tobacco pipe were found, including pieces bearing the maker names of Smith, Clarke and Sants.
- The Saw Close open day runs from 10am on October 31 2015. Visit Cotswold Archaeology for details.
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