The History of Charney Bassett

Clay Balls (approx 1cm Diameter)

Found in the vicinity of the Mill.

These are most likely to be Victorian clay marbles – they probably were once bottle stoppers – when the bottles were empty the kids used to smash the top to get the “marble” and collect them to play with. There are some other more unlikely possibilities including “musket balls”, there is documentary evidence that clay shot was used by some troops when practicing. Roman gaming pieces would be unlikely as they were not from a Roman context.