Materials laboratory

This lab houses our ceramic reference and teaching collections, with materials drawn from excavations undertaken by Archaeology and Ancient History and University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) from the city and county. A key collection of material under study currently comprises Iron Age and Roman pottery from the fieldschool excavations at Burrough Hill, Leicestershire.

The laboratory also features a pottery wheel and small kiln for the experimental production and firing of pots. Two furnaces for experimental work are available (Carbolite 1200°C; Vecstar MRF2 1300°C).

The lab also holds an extensive lithics collection containing replicas and excavated materials, such as scrapers, handaxes, knives and points, ranging from the Upper Paleolithic to the Roman period.