Observations archéologiques et archéométriques sur quelques types d’amphores africaines en circulation à Arles aux IIe et IIIe s. apr. J.-C.

Abstract

Recent studies of several levels of harbor and urban rubbish dumps in Arles have provided rich documentation on trade in this harbor city during the 2nd and 3rd c. AD. This period is marked particularly by an increase in African products transported in amphorae. The goal of this note is to present new data on some amphora types, as yet undocumented in Gaul : Schöne-Mau XXXV and «pseudo-Dr. 2/ 4», Ostia XXIII, Carthage Early Amphora 4 and Leptiminus II. Moreover, an archaeometric study provides some specific data on the African origins of these unheralded amphorae.