Medieval find and artefacts go on show after Sutton archaeology discovery
A medieval object and thousands of pottery fragments have helped shine light on one of Central Bedfordshire’s most significant archaeological discoveries.
The find, including a well-preserved pottery kiln, were uncovered following excavations at Sutton Primary School ahead of construction for a new sports pitch. The work was carried out by Central Beds Council’s Albion Archaeology team between 2024 and 2025.
Initially the find was thought to have dated back to the Tudor period, under the reigns of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, but last month experts revealed the kiln dates back 650 years to the late 14th century medieval period.
The pottery, and a rare metal object featuring a decorative fleur-de-lys design, possibly used as an architectural fitting, was displayed at a community event at Sutton Village Hall this week.
Archaeologists working on the site recovered more than 30,000 pottery fragments – weighing over 600kg – from 180 excavation buckets, making it one of the largest and most significant local digs in recent years. Archaeomagnetic dating of the kiln indicates it may have been in operation as far back as the reign of Edward III in the 14th century.
Archaeologist David Ingham, who project managed the dig, described how the kiln would have operated, its likely scale as a local industry, and how pottery produced on site would have been used across the area.
Other pottery fragments from the dig and pieces of the kiln itself were distributed among 100 people from Sutton and the surrounding area, helping to reconnect residents with their medieval past.
Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Cllr Adam Zerny, who organised and spoke at the event, said: “It was fantastic to see so many residents come together to learn about Sutton’s past and hear more about this remarkable discovery right beneath our feet. It was great to bring some of these artefacts back to the village and show people a really interesting insight into the history of our area."
Many of the key finds are on display at The Higgins Bedford until October 4 as part of the museum exhibition ‘Exploring Bedfordshire’s Kilns: An Industry Revealed’, which also features a detailed model of the Sutton kiln.