Medieval residents of Somerset may have enjoyed a drop of French wine with their supper, archaeologists have revealed. Experts have discovered the remains of highly decorated wine jugs from the Saintonge region of southern France on the site of a 13th-century inn in Bridgwater.
Archaeologists said the discovery of a small ceramic figurine from a jug rim was something they had never seen before. Other discoveries include a rare 17th-century Venetian glass bead, which would have been a very treasured and valuable object at the time.
As well as pottery and animal bones, a small building was discovered, which Somerset County Council archaeologists believe to have been a smokehouse.
Most of the finds were from large rubbish pits, discovered in the back yard of the 700-year-old inn. Archaeologist Steven Membery said: "This excavation has revealed that Bridgwater was a thriving port in the middle ages and it is exciting to find evidence of the town's trading links with continental Europe. It's also very nice to know that the medieval patrons of the inn were discerning wine drinkers."
Councillor Justin Robinson added: "Somerset County Council Heritage Group have worked very hard to make these remarkable discoveries which provides a fascinating window into the lives of Somerset people from the past."
Archaeologists said the discovery of a small ceramic figurine from a jug rim was something they had never seen before. Other discoveries include a rare 17th-century Venetian glass bead, which would have been a very treasured and valuable object at the time.
As well as pottery and animal bones, a small building was discovered, which Somerset County Council archaeologists believe to have been a smokehouse.
Most of the finds were from large rubbish pits, discovered in the back yard of the 700-year-old inn. Archaeologist Steven Membery said: "This excavation has revealed that Bridgwater was a thriving port in the middle ages and it is exciting to find evidence of the town's trading links with continental Europe. It's also very nice to know that the medieval patrons of the inn were discerning wine drinkers."
Councillor Justin Robinson added: "Somerset County Council Heritage Group have worked very hard to make these remarkable discoveries which provides a fascinating window into the lives of Somerset people from the past."
(News for Medievalists, Press Association Regional Newswire - 28 March 2007)
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