Archaeologists unearth medieval kitchen at Bury St Edmunds school

Archaeologists have unearthed a medieval kitchen and a range of other artefacts ahead of building works at a Bury St Edmunds school.

Suffolk Archaeology excavated the kitchen at Guildhall Feoffment Primary, in Bridewell Lane, in preparation for an extension at the school which is taking on extra pupils.

Fragments of medieval peg roofing tiles from the 13th to 15th centuries have been discovered - demonstrating that the building at one time had a tiled roof.

Many other artefacts have also been uncovered including a piece of the rim of a large 600-year-old jar which may have held water, wine or been used for cooking.

There was also the spout of a decorated jug known as a ‘face-jug’ from 700 years ago, a large pit of oyster shells which were commonly eaten as an everyday food and a late Saxon playing disc or spindle whorl.

Head Sue Herriott said the whorl was ‘important in establishing the presence of Anglo-Saxons in the centre of Bury’.

Classes were given the chance to view the excavation, meet the archaeologists and ask questions. The school hopes to keep and display the artefacts. Mrs Herriott said the archaeological works should be completed during the Easter holiday.