POTTERNE: ANALYSING THE STRATIGRAPHY In order to show the build-up of the midden of the site over time chronologically, diagnostic material is retrieved from the database and displayed. This exercise shows the main phases of the midden very neatly. In fact there is some correspondence between the vertical distribution of key finds and the soil profile recorded from the sides of the excavation. Thus it can be seen that: 1) The medieval & post-medieval pottery (RED) is restricted to the top layers of the midden. (Note how the erratic material is highlighted!) 2) The roman & romano-british pottery (MAGENTA) starts a little earlier (i.e., lower down). 3) Iron technology (CYAN) begins even earlier. 4) Reassuringly, the copper alloys (BLUE) are present from the earliest contexts! 5) It is interesting to note that certain pottery designs also seem to be restricted to clear phases. For example, pottery with the swag or s-shaped motif (YELLOW) is confined to a very tight band.