Blue Bridge Lane
&
Fishergate House
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The assemblage of glass from Fishergate is quite large and contains vessels dating from the Roman to the modern periods. Unfortunately the majority of the fragments are either extremely small, and beyond meaningful analysis and identification, or are clearly modern in date. However, forty-eight fragments were recovered which are sufficiently diagnostic as to allow identification, and these represent a minimum number of thirty-six different items.
Due to small size and chronological span of the assemblage it is unfortunately not possible to undertake a meaningful contextual analysis of the material. Instead, the glass is discussed typologically and by period, although vessels and objects present still reflect the contemporary uses of the site.
The largest group of identifiable glass belongs to the Roman period, and primarily the late 1st to early 3rd century AD. There are a minimum of twenty vessels that belong to this group. With one exception, G1, Find no 4150, all the Roman glass was made by free-blowing a technique developed in the first century BC. G1, was made by casting, where a glass sheet was slumped in a kiln over a former to achieve its desired shape. Unfortunately, this particular example has subsequently been heated and become distorted, so its original form is not clear, although it was most likely came from a convex or ribbed pillar moulded, bowl. It is also made in polychrome mosaic glass, where small slices of pre-formed canes were fused together prior to slumping. This example takes the form of a purple ground with opaque white specks and a six-petalled opaque green and yellow flower with a central white spot. This polychrome mosaic bowl is probably the earliest fragment in the assemblage, as it is a 1st century form that did not survive into the subsequent century. The fact it is heat distorted might suggest it originally came from a cremation burial (see below for further examples), which would place it in the last three decades of the 1st century after the arrival of the 9th legion in 71AD. A similar fragment of polychrome bowl, with an identical floral arrangement, is known from Lodge Farm, Falfield, Gloucestershire, although that example is set on a green ground (Price & Cottam 1998, 17 no 3).
Plate 1. Fragment G1
A number of other tablewares were found. G2, Find no 4178, is a small fragment of rim from a colourless cylindrical cup with a fire-rounded rim. This one of the most common forms of drinking vessel during the late 2nd and early 3rd century, and was often decorated with prominent horizontal trailing, although this fragment is too small to tell whether it was similarly decorated. Numerous fragments of this type of cup have been found in York, particularly on fortress sites (e.g. Cool 1995, 1575 no 5992; Harden 1962, 137 HG202.6). Another fairly common drinking vessel is G3, Find no 1335, a small fragment of body from a colourless indented beaker. Dating to the late 1st or early 2nd century this is a thin-walled vessel with concave sides. Again other examples have been found in York including a blue/green, rather than colourless, example from Blake Street (Cool 1995, 1656 no 6040).
Other tablewares include bowls. Most diagnostic are two fragments of folded foot-rings, G4-5, Find nos 4168 and 290, both made in a blue/green glass. Unfortunately in the absence of more pieces of each vessel it is not possible to identify the more precise form of these bowls, but most variations tend to date to the later 2nd or early 3rd century. Three further fragments, G6-8, Find nos 4155, 1254 and 1336, are sections of curved body either from bowls or possibly cups. All three are blue/green, but being relatively undiagnostic they cannot be precisely dated, save that they belong to the 1st to 2rd century.
Plate 2. Fragment G4
Much more characteristic are fragments from four different blue/green tubular unguent bottles. Two of these are complete, G9-10, Find nos 979 and 977, and demonstrate their original appearance, although they are slightly smaller than might be expected and G9 is almost colourless. G11-G12, Find nos 978 and 974, are fragmented examples of similar vessels, but interestingly both are heavily heat distorted. Tubular unguent bottles are a common type in the second half of the 1st century and very early 2nd century. In form these are nearly identical to others found in York such as one from the Railway Station cemetery (Harden 1962, 137 HG32). Such vessels are often found in burials and it is certain that these four were likewise deposited in this fashion. G9 & G12 were actually found in cremation vessels, and the heat distortion of G11 suggests that it was also originally from a burial. It is also interesting to note that five further fragments of blue/green glass that were so heat distorted as to be unidentifiable were also recovered from the excavations, and these too are likely to have once been vessels in cremation burials.
Plate 3. Unguent bottle G9
Plate 4. Unguent bottle G10
Plate 5. Unguent bottle G11
Plate 6. Unguent bottle G12
The remaining fragments, G13-20, Find nos 4182, 4106 to 4108, 4177, 297, 969, 975, 4131, 4133, 4166, 4185, are all from blue/green prismatic bottles of the mid-1st to late 2nd century. The prismatic bottle was the most common Roman form of this period and they appear in a variety of sizes and shapes (Price & Cottam 1998, 194-202). Their primary function was for the storage and transport of foodstuffs, although they sometimes were reused as cinerary urns, but there is no evidence that this is the case with any of these examples. The most diagnostic of these fragments, G13, is from a flat handle with fine combing on its outer surface. The remaining fragments are either of curved shoulder G14, corners of body G15-16, or flat side G17-20. Interestingly there are no fragments of thick base, which are the most characteristic part.
In summary, although the Roman assemblage is small and it contains a range of vessel forms. As might be expected, most common are everyday prismatic bottles, although there are some tablewares present too. Perhaps most interesting are the fragments of unguent bottles originating from the cremation burials. In two cases these had been deposited post-cremation, but in the other two cases it was clear that they were included with the body on the pyre.
Only a few fragments of early medieval glass were found, although given the size of the excavations, this is not surprising. However, there are seven fragments, all from different vessels, which can be identified as belonging to between the 8th and 10th century. All the fragments are typical of those found on other emporia and later urban sites in England. The earliest of these is a small fragment almost certainly from a hemi-spherical bowl, G21, Find no 976. Made in a green tinted glass it is decorated with a single twisted opaque yellow and clear reticello rod. Reticello decorated bowls are known in Scandinavian contexts of the 8th century, with most complete example coming from grave 6 at Valsgärde (Baumgartner & Krueger 1988, 70 no 2). Of similar 8th-century date is another small fragment, probably from a palm cup, G22, Find no 4199, made in a blue/green glass and decorated with thick ribbing overlaid with fine marvered opaque white thread trails. Palm cups are typical vessels of the mid-Saxon period, and are often found decorated with thick ribbing, such as several fragmentary examples from Barking Abbey (Evison 2000, 79-80).
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| Plate 7. Fragment G21 | Plate 8. Fragment G22 |
The most common early medieval form found at Fishergate is the funnel beaker, and this similar to the pattern found at other mid-Saxon sites. This form developed from the palm cup and when fragmented it is often hard to tell them apart. One of the most characteristic elements of the funnel beaker is the out-turned tubular rim, of which there are two variations, both represented in the Fishergate assemblage. The first, G23, Find no 4192, is an open rim where the glass has been folded out and over in again, trapping a pocket of air inside. This example is also decorated with fine opaque yellow thread trailing. The second, G24, Find no 4124, is a closed rim, where it has been folded out and in again, but so no air was trapped. No further decoration survives on this example. Both varieties have been found in large numbers at emporia sites, particularly Southampton, where types with both open and closed rims are known (e.g. Hunter & Heyworth 1998, 10-13; Hunter 1980, 61-64). Three further fragments belong to the palm/funnel series. Two, G25 & G27, Find nos 289 and 4191, are tapering in such a way they must come from a funnel beakers. The remaining one, G26, Find no 4220, is less certain, but is decorated with a marvered opaque yellow trail, a feature more commonly seen on funnel beakers rather than palm cups.
Plate 10. Fragments G25
The remaining fragment of early medieval glass is more problematic. It is a piece of deep blue rounded rim, with two thick horizontal trails, G28, Find no 4128. Unfortunately it has been slightly heat distorted making its exact profile uncertain, but it appears to be a globular beaker (sometimes referred to as jars). This is a form of the 7th century, often produced in a blue glass. However they are ordinarily restricted to Kent, and it has been suggested that they might have been produced at Faversham, where over forty-three have now been found (Evison 2000, 68). The presence of a possible example from York is therefore intriguing.
Plate 11. Fragment G28
The early medieval assemblage is small, but nevertheless contains a represenative range that was in use in the middle Saxon period. These are almost exclusively drinking vessels, although it has been suggested that funnel beakers might have also functioned as lamps (Evison 2000, 80).
The remaining glass fragments are all later, dating to between the 13th and 15th century. Of these, only three vessels are represented, the remainder being pieces of window glass. At least two of these vessels are urinals. The first, G29, Find no 4127, is a largely complete portion of rim with up-turned edge and upper neck made in a green forest glass that is heavily weathered. The other, G30, Find no 4144, is a portion of thick convex base, but this has suffered extreme devitrification in the soil. The final vessel, G31, Find no 4170, is a portion of thin tapering neck that might be from a urinal but also could be from an ordinary potash flask. Urinals were common vessels used for inspection of urine, and thus formed an important part of medieval medicinal practice (discussed more extensively in Tyson 2000, 149-53). They were deliberately blown to have very thin walls, so as not to obscure the colour, so consequently only the rims and bases tend to survive. However, in exceptional cases more complete examples are found, such as one from a rubbish pit at St. Swithin's House, Walbrook (Noël-Hume 1957, 105-6 no 2).
Illustration 1. Fragment G29
The later medieval fragments are from windows, and some are painted. The first of these, G32, Find no 967, although heavily devitrified clearly has two parallel lines painted on it, indicating that it once formed part of a stickwork boarder to larger glazing scheme. Two other joining fragments, G33, Find no 4125, have three clear, grozed (or chipped) edges and are painted with a sweep of figural drapery. The last painted piece, G34, Find no 4548, is tiny, but appears to be decorated with a fronded edge probably from a leaf. The remaining two fragments, G35-36, Find nos 971 and 4194, are also small but plain.
The later medieval glass assemblage is relatively small when compared with the Roman and even early medieval ones. However, this may in part be the result of a large proportion of glass from this later period being made in a potash, rather than soda-based, metal which is prone to severe or even complete decay in certain soil conditions. Nevertheless, the find of at least two urinals is typical for the later medieval period, while the window glass fragments are of the type that would have been a common site in the churches and even high status houses of York.
G1 YBB Pit F546 C2192 Find no 4150
One fragment of rim from a cast hemispherical bowl. Floral polychrome mosaic
glass; purple ground, opaque white specks and 6-petalled opaque green and
yellow flowers with a central white spot. Heat distorted. Rim diameter uncertain.
Light surface weathering. Mid-late 1st century AD.
G2 YBB Pit F520 C1220 Find no 4178
One fragment of slightly in-turned fire-rounded rim from a cylindrical cup.
Colourless glass. Rim diamter80mm. Light surface weathering. Later 2nd to
mid 3rd century AD.
G3 YFH Gully F297 C1561 Find no 1335
One fragment of fine curved body probably from an indented beaker or cup.
Colourless glass with a slight yellow tint. Little weathering. Later 1st to
early 2nd century AD.
G4 YBB Pit F381 C1853 Find no 4168
One fragment of tall folded base-ring, probably from a bowl. Blue/green glass
with little surface weathering. Late 2nd to 3rd century AD.
G5 YBB F13 C1027 Find no 290
One small fragment of folded base-ring, possibly from a bowl. Blue/green glass
with little surface weathering. 2nd to 3rd century AD.
G6 YBB Pit F245 C1546 Find no 4155
One small fine fragment of curved body, possibly from a cup or bowl. Blue/green
glass with little surface weathering. Late 1st-3rd century AD.
G7 YFH C1202 Find no 1254
One small fine fragment of curved body, possibly from a cup or bowl. Blue/green
glass with little surface weathering. Late 1st-3rd century AD.
G8 YFH Ditch F283 C1531 Find no 1336
Two small fine fragments of curved body, possibly from a cup or bowl. Blue/green
glass with little surface weathering. Late 1st-3rd century AD.
G9 YFH Cremation F320 C1603 Find no 979
One complete tubular unguent bottle. Out-turned sheared rim, cylindrical neck
with lower constriction and a convex base. Clear slightly blue tinted glass
with little surface weathering. Rim diameter 16mm, height 80mm. Mid 1st to
early 2nd century.
G10 YFH C1439 Find no 977
One complete tubular unguent bottle. Out-turned sheared rim, cylindrical neck
with lower constriction and a convex base. Blue/green glass with little surface
weathering. Rim diameter 14mm, height 67mm. Mid 1st to early 2nd century.
G11 YFH C1439 Find no 978
Two fragments of tubular unguent bottle. Out-turned sheared rim, cylindrical
neck with lower constriction and a convex base, bottom missing. Blue/green
glass with little surface weathering, heavily heat distorted. Rim diameter
uncertain. Mid 1st to early 2nd century.
G12 YFH C1501 Find no 974
One fragment of rim and neck of tubular unguent bottle. Rim is out-turned
and sheared. Blue/green glass with surface weathering, heavily heat distorted.
Rim diameter uncertain. Mid 1st to early 2nd century.
G13 YBB Pit F359 C1855 Find no 4182
One fragment of flat handle from a prismatic bottle. Decorated on outer surface
with fine combing. Light blue/green with quite heavy surface weathering. Mid
1st to late 2nd century.
G14 YBB Ditch F43 C1163N Find nos 4106, 4107, 4108, 4177
Four fragments of curved shoulder and flat body from a prismatic bottle. Light
blue/green with little surface weathering. Mid 1st to late 2nd century.
G15 YFH Pit F64 C1120 Find nos 297 and 969
Two fragments of curved corner of body from a prismatic bottle. Blue/green
with little surface weathering. Mid 1st to late 2nd century.
G16 YFH C1516 Find no 975
One fragment of curved corner of body from a prismatic bottle. Blue/green
with little surface weathering. Mid 1st to late 2nd century.
G17 YBB Scoop F178 C1347 Find no 4131
One fragment flat body from a prismatic bottle. Blue/green with little surface
weathering. Mid 1st to late 2nd century.
G18 YBB Pit F198 C1384 Find no 4133
One fragment flat body from a prismatic bottle. Blue/green with little surface
weathering. Mid 1st to late 2nd century.
G19 YBB Pit F388 C1845 Find no 4166
One fragment flat body from a prismatic bottle. Blue/green with little surface
weathering. Mid 1st to late 2nd century.
G20 YBB Ditch F412 C1896 Find no 4185
One fragment flat body from a prismatic bottle. Blue/green with little surface
weathering. Mid 1st to late 2nd century.
YFH Pit F64 C1339 Find no 973
YBB Well F269 C1598 Find no 4160
YBB Pit F437 C1797 Find no 4163
YBB Pit F359 C1855 Find no 4169
YBB C2184 Find no 4201
G21 YFH Grave F250 C1464 Find no 976
One fragment of body possibly from semi-spherical bowl. Clear green tinted
glass decorated with a single vertical running reticello rod. Slight surface
weathering. 8th century AD.
G22 YBB Pit F351 C2107 Find no 4199
One fragment of lower side, probably from a palm cup. Blue/green glass decorated
with thick vertical ribbing overlaid with fine marvered opaque white thread
trails. Some external surface weathering. 8th century.
G23 YBB Pit F442 C1951 Find no 4192
One fragment of everted open tubular rim from a funnel beaker. Blue/green
and decorated with fine horizontal opaque yellow thread trail. Little surface
weathering. Rim diameter 90mm. Late 8th to 9th century AD.
G24 YBB Pit F13 C1065 Find no 4124
One fragment of everted closed tubular rim from a funnel beaker. Plain blue/green
glass with very little surface weathering. Rim diameter 100mm. Late 8th to
9th century AD.
G25 YBB Pit F13 C1027 Find no 289
One fragment of tapering body from a funnel beaker. Plain clear green-tinted
glass decorated with fine blue trailing and with no surface weathering. Late
8th to 9th century.
G26 YBB Pit F351 C1763 Find no 4220
One fragment of body possibly from a funnel beaker. Plain clear green-tinted
glass with marvered opaque yellow trail and little no surface weathering.
Late 8th to 9th century.
G27 YBB Pit F442 C1951 Find no 4191
One fragment of lower tapering body from a funnel beaker. Plain clear green-tinted
glass with no surface weathering. Late 8th to 9th century.
G28 YBB Pit F13 C1065 Find no 4128
One fragment of heat distorted rim, possibly from a globular beaker? Deep
blue and decorated with two thick horizontal trails below the rim. Some surface
weathering. Rim diameter uncertain. 7th century?
G29 YBB Pit F122 C1267 Find no 4127
Seven fragments of widely everted rim with up-turned edge and upper neck from
a urinal. Green potash glass with heavy devitrification. Rim diameter 90mm.
13th to 14th century.
G30 YBB Pit F215 C1436 Find no 4144
Two joining fragments of thick convex base from a urinal. Green potash glass
with extreme devitrification. 13th to 14th century.
G31 YBB Posthole F309 C1680 Find no 4170
One small fragment of tapering neck from a flask or urinal. Green potash glass
with heavy devitrification. 13th to 15th century.
G32 YFH F4 C1008 Find no 967
One fragment of window glass. Painted with two parallel lines from a stickwork
border. Green potash glass with severe devitrification, particularly on the
exterior surface. 13th to early 15th century.
G33 YBB Pit F39 C1149 Find no 4125
Two joining fragments of a rectangular piece of window glass. Three surviving
grozed edges and painted with a sweep of figural drapery. Green potash glass
with heavy devitrification. 14th to 15th century.
G34 YBB Pit F242 C1528 Find no 4548
One tiny fragment of window glass. Painted with a fronded edge, probably a
leaf. Green potash glass with devitrified surfaces. 13th to 15th century.
G35 YFH Grave F163 C1311 Find no 971
Two small fragments of plain window glass. Green potash glass, completely
devitrified. 12th to 15th century.
G36 YFH Posthole F195 C1380 Find no 4194
One tiny fragment of plain window glass. Green potash glass, heavily devitrified.
12th to 15th century.
see also:
apc > monographs > blue bridge lane & fishergate house > artefacts & environmental > glass
