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A bucket full of history

A wooden bucket dating to the late medieval period was expertly excavated and removed from the trench at Lille Kongesgade, part of Kongens Nytorv excavations. The bucket lay in a sequence of deposits within a large refuse pit.

By Stuart Whatley Metro, Find coordinator and Duncan Alexander, Field leader at Kongens Nytorv

Common medieval bucket style

It measured 230mm high with a diameter of 240mm. The bucket was constructed by fixing a (now degraded) wooden base to upright staves, which formed the bucket sides. The side staves were joined together by separate bands of wood circling the artifact horizontally. The bucket follows a common bucket style tradition in medieval Scandinavia.

Diverse use and origin as refuse bin

The bucket contained four soil deposits relating to its use and purpose. It appears it was used firstly as a rubbish bin as it contained tar, fish bones, cat bones, hair, textiles, a broken brick and a near perfectly preserved  leather child’s boot. This rubbish deposit overlay a rotted and decayed wooden bucket base, which has now become mixed with the clay deposit the bucket originally rested upon.

End of use

Above the rubbish deposit was a thin clay layer, possibly placed to cover the smell of the tar and decaying food remains. The last and final fill was a silt rich layer containing plant material. It is unsure whether the plant material was purposely placed or sunk into the bucket after it went out of use.

Medieval everyday life

This find gives a great insight into everyday life of the medieval inhabitants of Lille Kongensgade from the style of their childrens boots and clothes to what type of fish they eat. Excavations are ongoing in Lille Kongensgade which should provide much more information on the people and activities in this street.

Read more about the excavations at Kongens Nytorv