EMW - Early medieval ware

Fine/medium sandy thin-walled handmade wares, as typical in Norfolk (Jennings 1981) and north Suffolk. Coarser quartz present in some, but generally not visible on surface. Occasional calcareous, ferrous, organic and flint/chert inclusions may also be present.

TS sample description (Patrick Quinn): Medium and coarse well-rounded sand-sized inclusions of quartz, and less common polycrystalline quartz and iron-stained or clear chert, plus rare amphibole. Less common silt-sized inclusions, dominated by angular quartz and muscovite mica, with rare amphibole and plagioclase. Rare sand and silt-sized ferruginous inclusions. The sand-sized inclusions may be temper. Non-vitrified and moderately oxidised non-calcareous clay matrix. Frequent macro and meso-elongate drying voids parallel to sherd margins.

Example from Wortham.

WVEMW - Early medieval ware Waveney Valley type

Handmade version of WVSW, fine-medium sandy (variable sand colours, clear, white, brown, pink), some red clay pellets, rare mica.

TS sample description (Patrick Quinn): Well-sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded fine and medium sand-sized inclusions of quartz and polycrystalline quartz with less common chert, microcline, ferruginous inclusions and fine quartz-rich sandstone. Less common silt-sized inclusions, dominated by angular quartz, muscovite mica and rounded opaques. The sand-sized inclusions may be temper. Non-vitrified, well oxidised non-calcareous clay matrix, with occasional iron-rich clay pellets and streaking. Frequent macro and meso-elongate drying voids parallel to sherd margins. Finer, better sorted fabric than EMW (Sample 5).

Example from Worlingham.

EMW - Early medieval ware

Microscope sample. Fine sandy (mainly clear and white), fine ferrous oxide.

Example from Eye.