MIPS - Medieval Ipswich Coarseware

Fine, hard oxidised fabric with abundant fine sand and very fine black inclusions (visible under microscope only), with occasional ‘local’ inclusions such as chalk and ferrous fragments. Usually dark red, but sometimes reduced. L.13th–14th c.

TS sample description (Patrick Quinn): Moderately well-sorted sub-rounded to angular fine sand and silt-sized inclusions dominated by quartz with common chert, opaques, fine muscovite mica and rare microcline and amphibole. It is possible that the opaques are heavily oxidised glauconite. Non-vitrified, non-calcareous oxidised clay matrix. Frequent meso-elongate drying voids and one mega-vugh.

Example from kiln site, Ipswich.