For Day 13 of our Archaeology Advent Calendar we’re digging back in the archive!
This unassuming piece of sandstone was found during our excavations in the carriage circle of Hartlebury Castle in 2013. Its flat shape and worked appearance mark it out as a medieval or post-medieval roof tile, and the square peg hole on its left side shows exactly where it would have been affixed to roof timbers.
Sandstone is a common natural resource in north Worcestershire, and it seems likely that this roof tile would have been locally made. We know that the monks of Worcester Cathedral Priory owned quarries in Ombersley as early as the 14th century, so it’s quite possible that the Bishop used these to roof his Palace at Hartlebury!
Our report on the roof tile, as well as the other finds from the site, is available on our website, so why not give it a read!