Early coke ovens: a note

Abstract

Very little archaeological work appears to have been done on the development of the coke oven. Published examples date almost entirely from the mid-19th century or later, when large banks of ovens associated with the railways became common. These ovens are
almost invariably of the 'standard' beehive form, with a large apical opening for top-loading ( often from tubs running on rails), and a front unloading opening, normally with a 'coke bench' outside. Consideration of the earlier development of the coke oven has relied
almost entirely on Jars' description and illustration of an oven in Newcastle in 1765; while this is a valuable example, it should not be assumed to give a complete picture of the 18th century development of the coke oven. A chronological survey of the known pre-railway examples (from modern field recording and from contemporary documentary evidence) therefore seems worthwhile.