I probably should have mentioned that the excavations all took place on 13th century burgage plots which were laid out on original medieval field strip systems which remain fossilized to this day. The soils are deep (up to 1.5m) having been cultivated for centuries for the growing of hemp and flax, and latterly for growing strawberries in the 19th century, subsequently used for intensive market gardening.
Associated finds like glass, bone, and sea shells of limpet, winkle, oyster, (the land has been heavily fertilized with sea weed since the 15th century), all remain intact and unbroken thus discounting the possibility of a grinding down process.
The other interesting feature of the excavations is that pea gravel contexts through worm action consist almost exclusively of tiny pieces of broken sherd.
Kindest regards,
Trevor
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