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2.3. Dressel 2-4 amphoras

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Typology
Cylindrical amphora with long bifid handles (composed of two rods), with small beaded lip and distinct carinated shoulder. Occasionally stamped near the base, or on the neck or handle. The form is derived from a prototype distributed from the island of Kos, hence referred to colloquially as Koan amphoras.
Fabric and technology
Very varied, due to their widespread production (see below). There are examples in the distinctive fabrics of both the Italian Dressel 1 (including the Campanian `black sand' fabric) and the Catalan Pascual 1.
Capacity
From 26-34l.
Date
Production from the later 1st century BC through to the end of the 1st century AD, and probably beyond. Imports in pre-conquest deposits in Britain, but most common on early Roman sites.
Source
One of the most widely produced amphora types; made in Italy (Peacock 1977; Hesnard et al. 1989), where it was produced on the same sites as the Dressel 1, Catalonia (Keay and Jones 1982), Baetica (Sealey 1985, 37, 42), central and southern France (Laubenheimer 1989, 118-23; Meffre and Meffre 1992), Lyon (Dangréaux et al. 1992, type 2), western Switzerland (Martin-Kilcher 1994, 342-4), the eastern Mediterranean (Empereur and Picon 1989) and Britain, at Brockley Hill (Castle 1978; Sealey 1985, 128-30).
Contents
Principally wine, but occasionally defrutum, fish-based sauces, olive-oil and dates.
Distribution
Widespread in the western Provinces. The distribution of the principal sources remains to be studied, but both Italian and Spanish products are found widely.
Aliases
Augst class 5. Peacock and Williams class 10 (Graeco-Roman, Koan, Ostia LI, Cam. 182-183, Callender 2, Benghazi ER4).
References
Sealey 1985, 27-50; Martin-Kilcher 1994, 337-46.
Bibliography

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Last updated: Wed Oct 9 1996