The Archaeology of an 18th Century Pottery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

According to the Red Rose Transit Authority in Lancaster City and County, Pennsylvania, "In September 2009, RRTA broke ground on Queen Street Station Phase III located on the corner of Queen and Chestnut Streets in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Phase III included a 395 space (seven levels) parking garage and three bus bays that gave RRTA access to Chestnut Street. 

As part of the construction of Queen Street Station Phase III, an archaeological excavation was completed at the site. The remains of an eighteenth century red earthenware potter's kiln and waste pile were discovered.

Although, the potter who operated this kiln has not been identified, it may have belonged to one of a few potters employed in Lancaster during this period, such as Jacob Marx (1750-1828), a German potter from Charlestown, Maryland. Marx operated his pottery in the borough of Lancaster between 1781-1792. 'Jacob Marks' appeared on the 1790 census for Lancaster City with a household of one male under 16 and four females. He does not appear to have lived in Lancaster City in 1800. Marx is listed on the Lancaster Borough tax list as a potter in 1782."

The potter responsible for these wares was apparently a remarkably skilled red earthenware potter in terms of the slip-decorations that were applied, which included tulips. This type of decoration could likely be interpreted as production from various locations today. An object of note that archaeologists recovered is a small bowl, which was intentionally manufactured with a glazed inverted base.

The remains of a cobalt-decorated stoneware jar were also recovered at this site. But no further evidence was discovered that would suggest Marx or any other Lancaster potter was manufacturing stoneware during this period, even though dual production of both red earthenware and stoneware occurred with a number of Pennsylvania's potters. It is possible that stoneware may have been manufactured locally in the eighteenth century, although, no stoneware kiln remains or kiln evidence was found.

Note: Here is a link to the archaeology report, which contains a lot more information about the archaeology/construction site.

An 18th Century Rendering of Lancaster, PA

An Artist's 1798 Rendering of Lancaster, PA

The Arrow Point to the Archaeology Site

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

Red Earthenware Kiln Remains in Downtown, Lancaster, PA

Remains of an 18th Century Red Earthenware Kiln in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology 

 Remains of an 18th Century Red Earthenware Kiln in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

Remains of an 18th Century Red Earthenware Kiln in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

Examples of Red Earthenware Production

 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherd

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology 

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA
Notice the Inverted Base

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

Stoneware Sherds Recovered at the Kiln Site

18th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Sherds

Recovered at the Kiln Site in Downtown Lancaster, PA

Unknown if this was Made Locally

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Photo Courtesy: AECOM Archaeology

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