Piecing together fragments of history

Yet a task far harder than any jigsaw awaited a team of amateur archaeologists when they unearthed around 30,000 pottery fragments from a pit in a Leeds field near a newly discovered pottery kiln dating back to the 1730s.

After finding the remains of the kiln at Lazencroft, near Crossgates, it took the Leeds Archaeological Fieldwork Society more than a year to dig out the tiny fragments that were discarded by the 18th century potters.

Then came the job of fitting the bits together, a task that has taken amateur archaeologists Kathy Allday, Jean Millard, and Pam Barker another 12 months – and it is still not complete.

Now the results of their work – partially complete tankards, plates, jugs, chamber pots and bowls – are to go on public show for the first time at Temple Newsam House in Leeds.

For Jean Millard the job of gluing together the fragments has been almost as exciting as trying to discover which potter made the pots in the first place – detective work that is likely to take years.

She spent many hours at her home in Cookridge, Leeds trying to make the pieces fit.

"When a piece fits you go, 'Oh, that goes there', and when it does fit it's obvious," she said.

"One of the pieces I completed just looked like a container and I didn't realise it was a jug until I got to the top."

Piles of shattered pieces have slowly formed into a tiny tankard that 300 years ago would have been used by a child to drink weak beer, a safer alternative to water at the time.

Piecing together the story of the coal-fired kiln and who worked there has proved an equally rewarding task, and just as complicated.

As the fragments emerged from the earth throughout last year, some were found marked with the initials SM, which raised a fresh puzzle for the historical sleuths who were already familiar with the name Samuel Malkin, a noted potter from Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.

Months of research has yet to pinpoint the identity of the Leeds "SM" but one theory is that it could be a relation of the famous Malkin, perhaps a grandson or a nephew, or even Samuel Malkin himself.

Research has also thrown up the name William Gough, believed to be the owner of the Leeds pottery and possibly the same William Gough who ran a pottery at Midhopestones, near Sheffield, at around the same time.

Following the trail of names and dates has been the most fulfilling element for Ms Millard, a retired graphic artist.

She said: "It has been really exciting. The finds have turned out to be more important than first thought and doors have kept opening."

The history of Yorkshire pottery will now have to be rewritten to include the Lazencroft kiln finds. Museums in America and Leeds are taking a close interest, as are universities in York and Bradford.

Research is also continuing to discover more about two decorated plates, one inscribed "The Roman Eagle and Crown" – thought to be an inn in Yorkshire – and another with a partial reference to The Spreadeagle, possibly another inn.

The chairman of Leeds Archaeological Fieldwork Society, Kathy Allday, who lives in Knaresborough, said the finds were of national importance.

She said: "Only five other sites in the country are known to have produced slipwares and some of the finds from Lazencroft may be totally unique, making this a discovery of national archaeological and historical significance."

The reconstructed pottery which includes porringers, posset pots, plates and other unusual vessels may eventually be put on display at Leeds Museum.

A special community showcase exhibition, with talks and slideshows, is taking place today from 11am in the Still Room at Temple Newsam. From Monday until August 1 the exhibition will be on display in the Visitor Room at the stately home.

Earthenware was major industry

Pottery was one of the most important industries in Leeds during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

History books – which will now need a rewrite – say the main works were established in Hunslet in 1770 and became highly successful in manufacturing a white-bodied lead-glazed earthenware called creamware, or Queen's ware, made from West Country clays and ground local flint.

In its heyday between 1770 and 1830, the Leeds Pottery produced enormous quantities of goods for a worldwide market.

A pattern book was published in 1783.