Roman Pottery Research Articles

Emerging distribution networks of Roman pottery in the Ancient Mediterranean: the sigillata clay lamps of Proconsular Africa

This paper surveys the use of Network Science, especially the role of ArchaeologicalNetworks to the study of Archeology and Ancient History. Networkthinking and network science are valuable methodologies and analytical techniquesto apply to the study clay lamps in the framework of Roman economy.The recent application of network analysis in Antiquity and Archaeology hasdemonstrated that there are a variety of approaches to recognizing networkpatterns or thinking about phenomena as products of networked processes.Provincial connectivity is one of the most debated aspects of Roman economics,and ceramic consumption patterns in the interior and coastal regions ofAfrica Proconsularis have proven to be very different. The dominant tendencyto turn to the communities formed and structured around native identities,especially those based in the major urban centers and larger areas, seems toestablish itself as an argument for the economy and exchanges of the RomanEmpire. This types of networks helped to spread ideas and religious symbolsthrough clay lamps. Africa Proconsular demonstrates evidence that the ceramicworkshops emerged as networks in order to established themselves seekingto meet the Mediterranean demand and religious consumption.

Geoarchaeological evidence of late and post-Antiquity (5th-9th c. AD) climate changes recorded at the Roman site in Plemići Bay (Zadar region, Croatia)

Remains of a vast Roman pottery production complex were found on the shore of the Plemići Bay (Općina Ražanac, Zadar county) in 2012, and confirmed by geophysical survey. Ground-penetrating radar measurements revealed outline of a rectangular building that finds analogies with Roman storehouses (horreum). The area occupied by remains of the Roman pottery workshop was covered by immense soil-debris flows. Three geological exposures located to the north of the remains of the Roman building were documented using lithological and malacological analysis, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The profiles revealed at least three generations of slope sediments, formed in result of intensive soil or debris flows in a dry climate, most probably in 5th c. AD. In the next, wet phase sediments were transported downslope and deposited on the Roman structures after 5th c. AD. Environmental conditions at Pelmići were supply with paleoclimate evidence from the Adriatic region. At ca. 1.5 cal. BP lake levels in the eastern Adriatic area were drastically reduced, probably because of strong decrease in humidity, correlated with the so-called North Atlantic Bond event 3. The drought was followed by a humid episode, also attested at the Plemići archaeological site.

On a lot of roman pottery fragments from the site in Zimnicea

The article presents a lot of 68 ceramic fragments in the National Museum of Antiquities patrimony which were apparently discovered at Zimnicea in the 1924 campaign. The identified forms, the production centres/production areas and their chronology open the possibility that Zimnicea was also inhabited in Roman times, sometime during the 2nd – 3rd centuries AD.

Oinophora reflected in the production of Geto-Dacian pottery workshops during the 1st century AD

The form and stylistic details of some vessels discovered in Brad and Răcătău settlements dated in 1st century BC – 1st century AD, known in Romanian archaeological literature as ritual vessels with zoomorphic protomes or parallelepipedic vessels with zoomorphic protomes, have none analogies in the indigenous repertory of vessels. The Hellenistic plastic vessels or, more specific, ram-shaped Knidian reliefs have been identified as source of inspiration. Another vessel discovered in Răcătău, known as the ritual barrel-shaped vessel or the rider-shaped vessel, is also suspected to have Hellenistic models as source of inspiration. The research of Hellenistic and Roman pottery that circulated north of the Danube during the period between the 2nd century BC and the beginning of the 2nd century AD allows me to make certain observations on the presence of oinophora on Geto-Dacian sites and on their possible impact on local production.

Late Roman Potter

The Roman theatre in Nicaea is the most famous and well preserved monument from the Roman Imperial Period which was built under the supervision of the Bithynia governor, Plinius, during the rule of Trajan.1 The examined Late Roman pottery was found in a rubbish dump which covered the theatre. Following the stratigraphy and dating of the dump it is estimated to be from between 368 A.D. and 557 A.D. There is a renovation of the colonnaded gallery probably after the earthquake of 368 A.D. which is mentioned in the records.2 Many coins of the fourth century A.D. which were found during excavations might also be related with this renovation. But further earthquakes resulted in the theatre being gradually destroyed and abandoned. It seems that the theatre was used as a rubbish dump after the late fourth century A.D. until the earthquake of 557 A.D. A great number of African Red Slip ware has been found in this fill of the theatre. The main ceramic types are plates and bowls –Hayes Forms 53, 61 and 67– which have recently been classified as Africana D by S. Tortorella. A small group of Phocean Red Slip Ware “Late Roman C”, mainly bowls, dated to early in the 4th century until its disappearance in the third quarter of the sixth century A.D. have also been attested in the theatre of Nicaea. There is some “Eastern Sigillata C”, mainly in Hayes 3, also discovered in this dump. We have discovered some Light Colored Ware fragments in the Nicaea theatre which appear to be quite similar to the ones found in Parion. Recently E. Ergürer has published a group of Light Colored Ware dated between the fifth early sixth centuries A.D. from Parion.3 The production center of this ware is not securely determined so far but it is interesting to note that this ware is quite common both in Bithynia, Propontis and the Troad. As a result the aforementioned wares, which are treated for the first time in Nicaea, were found in the same rubbish dump over the theatre and are dated between the late fourth century and third quarter of the sixth century A.D.

Composition, technology and provenance of Roman pottery from Napoca (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

ABSTRACTSecond-century CE (common era) household pottery sherds found in the city of Napoca (present day Cluj-Napoca, Romania) in Roman Dacia were investigated by polarized light optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and cold field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to obtain information on technology, raw materials and site of production. Compositionally, all samples are similar with comparable fine and semi-fine microstructures and oriented microtextures. Optically, there is a gradual transition from microcrystalline to an amorphous illitic-muscovitic matrix. The small aplastic inclusions are mostly quartz and feldspar. Fine-grained carbonate aggregates are distributed inhomogeneously in the ceramic body. Well-preserved Middle Miocene foraminifera tests are characteristic of the ceramics. The gradual thermal changes of the matrix and the newly formed phases upon firing, such as ‘ceramic melilite’, Fe-gehlenite, clinopyroxene, glass, hematite and some maghemite support inferences regarding the technological constraints in producing the pottery. The firing took place in a mostly oxidizing atmosphere and the temperature extended from at least 850°C to >900°C. The Middle Miocene marly clay from the area surrounding the site shows similar mineralogical and micropalaeontological contents to those of the ceramic specimens and is the best candidate for the raw material used for local production of the Roman pottery.

Local production and imitations of Late Roman pottery from a well in the Roman necropolis of Cuma in Naples, Italy

AbstractArchaeological excavations performed in a funerary complex in Cuma (Campania region, Italy) unearthed excellently preserved common wares dated to the third century A.D. Archaeometric analyses were focused on Campanian pitchers, Aegean‐like cooking pots, and pyriform pitchers, the latter recorded for the first time in an Italian context. The local pitchers were manufactured with a high‐CaO clay (CaO = ca. 12 wt.%) and local volcanic temper, fired at ca. 800–850°C, as suggested by the presence of calcite. The Aegean‐like pots and the pyriform pitchers were made with low‐CaO clay (CaO ≤ 4.0 wt.%) mixed with a calcite‐bearing temper, along with volcanic and siliciclastic grains, and fired at 800–950°C. The comparison with raw materials inferred that local vessels were made with low‐CaO basinal clays which outcrop in the northern Campania region, and sands from the shoreline north of Cuma where carbonate, siliciclastic and volcanic phases mix together. Our results suggest that the Phlegraean Late Roman workshops produced their traditional vases along with imitations of Aegean‐like pottery. Thus, microregional production responded to a market demand requiring shapes and styles similar to imports from the eastern Mediterranean, with which commercial trade was still quite active.

Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Later Finds from Oxlease Farm, Romsey, Hampshire: Summary Report

In March 2016, archaeological excavation was undertaken at four areas of land at Oxlease Farm, Cupernham Lane, Romsey, Hampshire. The fieldwork recovered a lithic assemblage from all four excavation areas, although the majority was recorded from a single flint-bearing deposit in Area 1. The assemblage included several elements that may belong to the Terminal Upper Palaeolithic Long Blade industry, as well as three flints of Mesolithic date. A small number of undated features were also uncovered, including pits and possible postholes, which may have been of a prehistoric date. A small and residual assemblage of Late Roman (3rd – 4th century AD) pottery was also recovered from probable medieval/post-medieval field boundary ditches or plough furrows.

Regarding one Rare Roman Amphorae Type from Tyras

The paper deals with the publication of amphorae finds from Tyras classified as the early variant of type VIII according to A. Opaiţ. These vessels are attributed as one of the rarest varieties of the late Roman pottery ware. In Tyras these vessels are represented by several fragments of profile parts. Their center of production has not been localized yet. However judging by the visually distinct features of the clay composition, one can assume that they were made in the Eastern Mediterranean. The morphological features indicate that these amphorae were intended for transportation and storage of wine. The spread area of such vessels is the territory of provinces Moesia Superior and Moesia Inferior. They are very rare in the North Pontic region. The only known sample was found at the “Sovkhoz 10” cemetery located in the vicinity of Chersonesus. Almost all amphorae of this type were found during the excavations of Roman military camps or cities, where Roman soldiers were stationed during the 2nd — 3rd centuries CE. Such a distribution of findings is hardly accidental and may be related to the provision of Roman military contingents. That observation may also apply to Tyras, where the vexillatio was shifted from the Moesia Inferior since the beginning of the 2nd century CE. The Roman military presence in the city is evidenced by the epigraphic and archaeological data. Perhaps, the variety of transport amphorae under study occurred in Tyras together with Roman soldiers from Moesia Inferior when shifting the vexillatio or during further rotations of troops during the 2nd — first half of the 3rd century CE. It is also likely that the wine contained in these vessels was imported from the Lower Danube River region as a result of mediatorial commercial trade.

Classifying and Visualising Roman Pottery using Computer-scanned Typologies

Classifying and Visualising Roman Pottery using Computer-scanned Typologies

Indagine sul fenomeno della standardizzazione nelle produzioni ceramiche provinciali in epoca tardo romana. La forma Hayes 85

The aim of this paper is to determine the degree of standardization within certain Late Roman pottery productions. This research tried to outline a methodology to determine the standardisation degree of these samples and to unravel the measurement systems used in the production process. The morphometric characterization of each fragment allowed us to create different groups with a cluster analysis. The principal component analysis providedinformation that led us to a deeper understanding of the obtained groups. The coefficient of variation allowed us to determine the standardisation degree of the productions. Once all these data are known, we can approach to the possible measurement units that ruled the analysed production systems. We selected a form well represented in the ceramic contexts identified in the excavations of the Late Antique port-canal of Classe, the Hayes 85 small bowl. This vessel was considered a rare form in Hayes’ monumental book. New discoveries of the last ten years revealed how much we still have to understand about the characteristics of Late Roman productions, trade and distribution. With this in mind, we used a statistical method to analyse the main changes in the profile of this type and its variants.

Un nuevo sector productivo en el Alfar Romano de Cartuja (Granada): el Horno D4 y su testar cerámico.

En el presente trabajo se analiza un testar cerámico emplazado en el interior del Horno D4, perteneciente a un nuevo sector productivo del alfar romano de Cartuja identificado en 2014. Los resultados han posibilitado ampliar el conocimiento del repertorio de cerámicas comunes del alfar, pero también realizar una primera aproximación a la actividad productiva de este sector de las inmediaciones dela Facultadde Teología, cuya instalación se originaría en plena época de apogeo del alfar con objeto de intensificar la producción.

Remote Sensing of a Roman Pottery Workshop. Report on a Geophysical Survey Carried out in Crikvenica (Ancient Ad Turres, Croatia)

Abstract The paper presents results of a geophysical survey conducted in Crikvenica, a town located at the north-eastern Adriatic Sea coast in Croatia. The main aim was to identify extent of a Roman pottery workshop discovered to the north of the present town, at the site known as “Igralište”. The performed magnetic and GPR surveys within the area of the modern playground in Crikvenica revealed a large number of anomalies that may be connected with anthropogenic activity during different periods, both in modern and ancient times. The first group consists of anomalies generated by remnants of the modern underground infrastructure. Magnetic and ground-penetrating radar maps revealed anomalies in the north-western part of the modern playground that can be very likely interpreted as remains of a large ceramic kiln dated back to the Roman Period, similar to the kiln discovered during the excavations located further to the north. Finally, the survey performed within the Crikvenica football stadium clearly indicates that the integration of different Ground Penetrating Radar and magnetic methods allows for a detailed and effective identification of buried archaeological structures in large areas.

Archaeometric characterization of Late Antique pottery from the rural site of Ses Païsses de Cala d’Hort (Eivissa, Balearic Islands, Spain)

This paper presents the results of an archaeometric characterization of Late Roman Pottery from a rural site on the island of Eivissa (Balearic Islands, Spain). The ceramic samples, including common wares, amphorae and cooking wares, have been analysed using X-ray fluorescence for the chemical characterization, optical microscopy by thin-section analysis for the mineralogical and petrographic characterization, and X-ray diffraction for the mineralogical analysis.The results show the importance of local/regional production for the common wares and amphorae, while for the cooking wares, all the materials are imported, including some fabrics widely distributed in the Western Mediterranean.

Romanización de rituales funerarios oretanos: la tumba 1 del Cerro de las Cabezas (Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real)

The proper application of a method of protection and preventing impacts to Archaeological Heritage, developed because of the installation of an electrical power line, has led to the discovery of the necropolis beside Cerro de las Cabezas (Valdepenas, Ciudad Real). The location of the burial area of this great Iron Age oppidum was unknown until now. The fourteen graves documented during this brief intervention correspond to the cremations buried in urns, with goods associated as fusayola, fibulae, weapons and pottery. In this work is presented the ceramologic study of Tomb 1. This is the only one between the graves excavated which has imported pieces. The imported object is a plate of italian terra sigillata, dated between 15/40 AD and sealed in the factory of L. Titivs. Therefore it is an early burial of our era. The finding verifies than in these years persist in Oretania indigenous Iberian funerary rites, which occasionally used import Roman pottery.

Book Review of Morgantina Studies. Vol. 6, The Hellenistic and Roman Fine Pottery, by Shelley C. Stone

Book Review of Morgantina Studies. Vol. 6, The Hellenistic and Roman Fine Pottery, by Shelley C. Stone

Remote Sensing of a Roman Pottery Workshop. Report on a Geophysical Survey Carried Out in Crikvenica (Ancient Ad Turres, Croatia)

The paper presents results of a geophysical survey conducted in Crikvenica, a town located at the north-eastern Adriatic Sea coast in Croatia. The main aim was to identify extent of a Roman pottery workshop discovered to the north of the present town, at the site known as “Igraliste”. The performed magnetic and GPR surveys within the area of the modern playground in Crikvenica revealed a large number of anomalies that may be connected with anthropogenic activity during different periods, both in modern and ancient times. The first group consists of anomalies generated by remnants of the modern underground infrastructure. Magnetic and ground-penetrating radar maps revealed anomalies in the north- western part of the modern playground that can be very likely interpreted as remains of a large ceramic kiln dated back to the Roman Period, similar to the kiln discovered during the excavations located further to the north. Finally, the survey performed within the Crikvenica football stadium clearly indicates that the integration of different Ground Penetrating Radar and magnetic methods allows for a detailed and effective identification of buried archaeo-logical structures in large areas.

A Collection of African Red Slip Ware in the Náprstek Museum

A group of six specimens of Late Roman pottery from the region of North Africa forms part of collections of the Náprstek Museum. The group comprises of vessels from several different functional types, forming a representative sample of the pottery production of the region. The paper discusses the setting of the individual vessels in the North African ceramic production, their dating, and provenance.

The Roman pottery workshop of Cartuja (Granada). New data from the archaeological intervention developed in 2013-2015

La presente contribucion ofrece nuevos datos sobre el alfar romano de Cartuja (Granada), obtenidos durante el seguimiento arqueologico preventivo desarrollado en el Campus de Cartuja de la Universidad de Granada con motivo de su reciente reurbanizacion. La amplitud del seguimiento ha permitido documentar nuevas areas productivas y estructuras, entre ellas dos nuevos hornos y piletas de decantacion de arcillas, asi como distintas areas de vertidos. Basandose en estos datos, el presente articulo realiza una aproximacion preliminar a su organizacion y topografia, en la que parece que existieron diversos sectores productivos lo suficientemente distanciados como para plantear un modelo de alfar suburbano de organizacion diseminada.

Reconstructing production technology and distribution, using thin section petrography: A pilot study of Roman pottery production in the Pontine region, Central Italy

This paper explores aspects of production and distribution of local Roman pottery from the Pontine region, Central Italy, based on ceramics recovered in surveys carried out within the ‘Minor Centres’ project. The aim of this project was to investigate the role of minor centres in local economies of Roman Central Italy. Ceramic fabrics from waster pottery, recovered from three such centres and one rural site, were studied in thin section, and compared with pottery from consumption sites in the area. This study was complemented by clay prospection, which was carried out with the aim to identify potential clay sources used for Roman pottery production. The results show that the local pottery at each site is characterised by a unique compositional signature, and demonstrate that potters in the Pontine region exploited local raw materials. Furthermore, the results indicate that local products were distributed within a radius of 25km, and that the ‘Roman’ traditions of paste preparation, as identified in this study, appear to result from long-lived traditions of paste preparation techniques.