2.6. Rhodian (Camulodunum 184) amphoras

Typology

Long tapering body, terminated in a solid spike; cylindrical neck with small beaded rim and single rod handles, of circular cross-section which rise to a distinctive peak.

Fabric and technology

Peacock (1977, 266-70) defines six fabrics, of which nos. 1 and 2 are most important:

1. Fine reddish pink (Munsell 5YR 7/6) with thin pale slip; sparse inclusions of medium red-brown particles and larger angular fragments of white limestone. Augst TG 48-9
2. Creamy-yellow (Munsell 10YR 8/4) with large limestone inclusions, but usually with soft, pitted surface where these have flaked. Augst TG 50

The other wares are generally light or red coloured, but vary in their details.

Capacity

Principally 25-26l, but some half-size vessels, including the Camulodunum 184 type specimen with a capacity of 13.6l.

Date

The form was produced from the Republican period until the 2nd century AD. Some Augustan-Tiberian specimens from Gaul and the Rhineland, but imported into Britain from the Claudio-Neronian period. Importation continues until the mid-2nd century. Perhaps particularly common on military sites (on the significance of which see Sealey 1985, 133-5).

Source

Several sources, including the island of Rhodes (fabric 1), the Cnidian peninsula (fabric 2?). Others probably from the Aegean region and Crete.

Contents

Principally wine; also figs and honey.

Distribution

Wide distribution in eastern and western Mediterranean, along the Rhine and Britain.

Aliases

Augst class 6. Peacock and Williams class 9 (Ostia LXV, Cam. 184, Callender 7).

References

On petrology and British distribution: Peacock 1977; also Sealey 1985, 51-8; Martin-Kilcher 1994, 348.

Notes

A related form, the Dressel 43, is smaller and thinner walled than the Camulodunum 184, has a bulging rather than cylindrical neck, and a collared rim. This has been recorded in small numbers from Britain (Sealey 1985, 51; Martin-Kilcher 1994, 350).

Bibliography

Martin-Kilcher 1994 Martin-Kilcher, S., Die römischen Amphoren aus Augst und Kaiseraugst. Ein Beitrag zur römischen Handels- und Kulturgeschichte. 2, Die Amphoren für Wein, Fischsauce, Südfrüchte (Gruppen 2-24) und Gesamtauswertung, Forschungen in Augst, 7, Römermuseum, Augst, 1994.
Peacock 1977 Peacock, D. P. S., Roman amphorae: typology, fabric and origin, in Méthodes classiques et méthodes formelles dans l'etude des amphores, G. Vallet ed., Collection de l'École Française de Rome, 32, 261-78, École Française de Rome, Rome, 1977.
Sealey 1985 Sealey, P. R., Amphoras from the 1970 excavations at Colchester Sheepen, British archaeological reports. British series, 142, BAR, Oxford, 1985.