28/09/2026
📕 New book explores how everyday pottery helps tell the story of East Anglia's past 🏺
A major new book is using evidence from more than two million pottery fragments to build a picture of everyday life in East Anglia between the Anglo-Saxon and post-medieval periods.
The Anglo-Saxon, Medieval and Later Pottery of East Anglia, is written by pottery specialist Sue Anderson, and published by Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service.
It draws on evidence from more than 1,800 archaeological sites across Norfolk and Suffolk. The publication brings together almost 30 years of research and provides one of the most comprehensive studies of medieval pottery undertaken in the region.
While often overshadowed by more spectacular archaeological discoveries, pottery is one of the most common and important finds uncovered during excavations. The fragments left behind can help archaeologists understand how people lived, worked, traded and travelled, as well as helping to date archaeological sites.
By studying how pottery was made, distributed and used, the book helps build a picture of changing communities across East Anglia over hundreds of years, from the growth of towns and markets to everyday life in homes across the region.
📢 Sue Anderson, author of the book, said:
“Pottery is one of the most common finds recovered from archaeological sites and one of the most useful tools we have for understanding the past.
“These fragments represent the everyday vessels used between the 5th to 18th centuries, and they can tell us a huge amount about everyday life, trade and settlement across East Anglia during this period.
“This book brings together evidence collected over many years and provides a foundation for future research into the region's medieval archaeology.”
The publication represents the culmination of decades of work by Sue, who worked for Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service between 1995 and 2004 and completed a doctorate on the subject at the University of East Anglia in 2024.
As well as exploring pottery use across East Anglia, the book establishes a standard pottery type series for Norfolk and Suffolk.
Developed with funding from Historic England, the series provides archaeologists with a consistent way of identifying and recording pottery finds, helping researchers compare evidence from sites across the region and build a clearer understanding of East Anglia's history.
📢 Councillor Morgan Brobyn, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Food, Waste and Rural Affairs, said:
“Archaeology helps us connect with the people who lived in Suffolk long before us. While pottery fragments may seem unassuming at first glance, they provide an extraordinary window into everyday life, from the food people ate to the communities they lived in and the goods they traded.
“This book represents a remarkable piece of research and demonstrates the important role Suffolk County Council's Archaeological Service continues to play in advancing our understanding of the region's rich heritage.”
The book is volume 187 in the East Anglian Archaeology monograph series and is available from Script Books for £35. It will also be available through Suffolk Community Libraries.
The Suffolk and Norfolk pottery type series can be viewed by appointment at Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service's offices in Bury St Edmunds and at the Shire Hall offices of Norfolk Museums Service. An online gallery is also available at www.eastanglianmedievalpottery.org.uk
