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2.11. Dressel 7-11 `salazon' amphoras

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Typology
A diverse series of forms, encompassing Dressel forms 7-11 and 38-9, Beltrán forms I-II and Camulodunum 186. The typology of the class is discussed by Sealey (1985, 77-80). The principal shared characteristics are a flared mouth (perhaps with a hooked rim), a bulbous body and, commonly, a long hollow spike; handles are generally flattened ovals, sharply folded back to meet the body below the rim. Rarely stamped, but tituli picti common on neck, between the handles.
Fabric and technology
A range of pale coloured (cream, off-white, pink and yellow) fabrics with darker cores; generally soft, powdery surfaces, perhaps with a thin slip or wash. Inclusions generally fine, but some with occasional large red inclusions. This last variant may be a particular product of the Cadiz region. Augst TG 18-20, 58-62
Capacity
Variable, perhaps two sizes: 14-18l and 27-33l.
Date
Manufactured from late 1st century BC to the early 2nd century AD. Possibly some pre-conquest importation into Britain.
Source
Principally the southern Iberian coast, where several kiln sites are known and factories for fish products are located. Also some production on the Catalan and Provence coasts (Laubenheimer 1985, 318-9). The manufacture of variants of Dressel 9 and 10 has been reported at Lyon (Dangréaux et al. 1992, type 3) - these are represented by Augst 31-32.
Contents
The tituli picti principally record fish-sauces and salted fish; occasionally defrutum and wine. Bones of species such as Spanish mackerel carried in these amphoras are sometimes recovered from wrecks and other sites. The contents of the Lyonnaise production seems also to have been garum, despite inland location (Martin-Kilcher 1990).
Distribution
Widespread around the western Mediterranean, where there are numerous wrecks (Parker 1992, fig.9) and throughout the northern provinces, including Britain, where the distinctive Cadiz fabric has been widely recognized.
Aliases
Augst classes 22, 23a.b, 24, 25, 26 and 27. Peacock and Williams classes 16 (Dressel 7-11, Beltrán I, Paunier 435), 17 (Beltrán I, Cam. 186A, Schöne-Mau VII), 18 (Dressel 38, Beltrán IIA, Ostia LXIII, Cam. 186C, Pélichet 46, Callender 6) and 19 (Beltrán IIB, Ostia LVIII).
References
Beltrán Lloris 1970; Peacock 1974; Martin-Kilcher 1994, 393-409.
Bibliography

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