Information for record number MWA3245:
Site of Horn Works

Summary The site of a horn comb factory which consisted of four ovens and the building had an arched roof and a chimney. The factory was still in use in the early 20th century. It was located on the Warwick Road, Kenilworth.
What Is It?  
Type: Factory, Horn Working Site
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Kenilworth
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 28 71
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Kenilworth was a centre of the horn comb industry. A gentleman, who at one time owned the tannery in Warwick Road, stated that he remembered seeing the remains of a (horn) factory only a few yards S of the tannery. This was in about the year 1912. He saw four ovens, in pairs back to back. At working height was a round hole that at one time was covered by oven doors. Inside, the roof was arched and the chimney served all four ovens. Horn was obtained from the tannery and put in a 'muck-heap'for a while to permit the bone to come away from the horn. The oven was heated and the horn put in place in order to make it supple. Eventually the horn was split open by hand and was then ready for cutting into shape.
2 A number of brick footings and other features were encountered in the northwestern part of a development site at Talisman Square. This building was constructed at some period between 1905 and 1925. It is possible that these structures represent elements of the former tannery, but they may also relate to the 20th century horn works (MWA 3245), known to have existed to the south of the tannery.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 82
Author/originator: Drew J H
Date: 1965
Page Number: 26
Volume/Sheet: 82
   
Source No:
Source Type: Watching Brief Report
Title: Land Adjacent to Talisman Square, Warwick Road, Kenilworth: Archaeological Watching Brief
Author/originator: R King
Date: 2008
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument YARD * A paved area, generally found at the back of a house. back
monument TANNERY * A manufacturing complex where the hides of animals are turned into leather, consisting of buildings for fleecing and drying, as well as treatment pits. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument OVEN * A brick, stone or iron receptacle for baking bread or other food in. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument ROUND * A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England. back
monument HORN WORKING SITE * A site used for the production of items derived from animal horns. back
monument FACTORY * A building or complex, housing powered machinery and employing a large workforce for manufacturing purposes. Use specific monument type where known. back
monument CHIMNEY * Chimney used on an industrial or commercial site. back
monument WORKS * Usually a complex of buildings for the processing of raw materials. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record