Internet Archaeol. 17. Willis. Termination deposits of samian at Roman military sites

12.5 Termination deposits of samian at Roman military sites

A number of unusual deposits of South Gaulish samian, consisting of large stratified 'dumps' that have conventionally been interpreted in functional and practical terms, being cast as old and/or unwanted items (cf. King and Millett 1993, 242) may now be seen as potential 'termination deposits' with symbolic resonance (Willis 1997a, 46-7, appendix 2). All these deposits (from Carlisle, Cirencester, Inchtuthil, Leicester, Segontium, Vindolanda and York (Willis 1997a, appendix 2)) evidently relate to structural changes and 'endings', specifically, the end of occupation and activity phases at fortresses and forts. Hence they may well represent ritualised deposits of valued, culturally significant items, constituting the depositional equivalent of the well-attested foundation deposits associated with the inauguration and structural reorganisation of both military and civilian buildings of this period (cf. Merrifield 1987; Clarke 1997). Similar deposits of other types of pottery are, conspicuously, not noted in the literature from military sites, and this accords with the likelihood that samian was considered to be different from other pottery types at this time, and hence would be an appropriate medium for a symbolic act.