In the second half of the 18th century, the settlement of Portobello developed by the Figgate Burn on the south coast of the Firth of Forth, with significant industries including pottery production and brick and tile works. 

In 2013 AOC Archaeology Group undertook archaeological works in Portobello on behalf of MNM Developments (Scot) Ltd. These revealed elements of a late 18th century harbour complex between Bridge Street and Pipe Lane, which helped facilitate the ceramics industry of that period. Remains of a harbour structure and an associated sea wall were revealed in 2013. Behind this sea wall, levelling deposits over the beach sands included dumps of locally produced ceramics, including a substantial group of late 18th century creamware fragments, perhaps the most significant element of the assemblage from the site. 

Huge quantities of dumped ceramic waste were recovered, relating to the production of pottery from the late 18th century onwards. A short report on the material recovered has been prepared by George Haggarty, to accompany a catalogue of the ceramics recovered, which includes photographs of the material.

As well as the late 18th and 19th century ceramic material recovered by AOC in 2013, the catalogue includes a small assemblage recovered from the same area during previous test-pitting by Alder Archaeology, as well as early 19th century bisque and glazed shards from Thomas Rathbone's pottery, derived from trenches excavated nearby by AOC Archaeology and local volunteers as part of a Lottery funded project, 'dig Portobello', organised by the Portobello Heritage Trust.