8.2 The composition of samian groups at different categories of site by form

8.2.1 Introduction

The database can be used to look at trends in the consumption of samian forms. Table 43 (table in xl spreadsheet format) summarises the incidence of samian at all types of site by generic/functional category. The raw data in the table can be converted into percentages to assist analysis and comparisons. Table 44 converts the summary data of Table 43 into percentages showing the frequency of each functional category between the different types of site. Finally, Table 45 converts the summary data of Table 43 into percentages for the main site types so that one can see the relative importance of, say, cups at one type of site as opposed to another. The sample used is large and these data should be a reliable guide to trends. These data are instructive as they provide an instant snapshot view of the relative importance of particular types of samian vessel at contrasting site types. The only drawback in this case is that this specific table aggregates all the data independent of year or period, and so Table 45 is a 'whole story' view. (It would be possible to generate equivalent data for shorter periods using the database in Excel, though a macro would need to be written). Significantly Table 45 shows there are strong contrasts in the proportions formed by particular form/functional categories from site to site. Charts 13-17 below draw on the data presented in Table 45 and show graphically the relative frequency of particular generic/functional categories at the following types of site: military sites, extra-mural occupation sites outside military installations, major civil centres, smaller civil centres and rural sites. These charts show some strong contrasting trends.

8.2.2 Samian forms at Roman military sites

Chart 13: The Relative Frequency of Samian Form/Functional Categories at Roman Military Sites in Britain (Sample from 41 Dated Site Groups in database).

Chart 13 shows that among military sites vessels of the dish/platter category are most frequent (c. 40%) of all types, but decorated bowls are the second most frequent category forming 27%; cups are also strongly represented, otherwise while the range of other types occurring on military sites is wide, they only account for very low proportions of the samian from military sites. This data (i.e. of Chart 13) may be compared with that available from specific sites. To take one example, the incidence of samian by form from the Vallum at Birdoswald Spur may be considered against this general pattern for military sites. The group is itemised by form in Table 46. This small group shows a very high percentage of decorated bowls (46.3%), in particular of Drag. 37 form (cf. Table 46), with cups and dishes/platters also important but depressed by the high registration of decorated bowls. This prominence of decorated bowls, as observed at Birdoswald, is an example of the type of contrast one might detect between a specific group and the generality of data, which might benefit from investigation; in this case this was discussed above (Section 7.3). Alex Croom has collected data by EVE on the incidence of vessel types at South Shields by phase (Croom 2003) and data of this nature may be compared against information from military sites in the database.

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Last updated: Mon Mar 7 2005