PREVIOUS   NEXT   CONTENTS   HOME 

3.7. Period 7, c. AD 170 - 210

Assemblage composition (see Tables 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21 & 22)

The late 2nd-century assemblage was characterised by a significant increase in mortaria (15%), matched by further decreases in jar forms. Levels of dining vessels decreased slightly compared to the previous phase of occupation. With the exception of a well in area H and some kiln features in area W, all the features analysed were pits. Seven of the fourteen groups were dominated by non-jar forms as the principal functional class, potentially representing the highest number of possible 'ritual' deposits in any phase at Elms Farm. Assemblages from several features from area W in the periphery were comprised almost completely of mortaria, no doubt accounted for by the construction of a mortarium kiln in this area (Atkinson 2002), well 6280 was dominated by dining vessels (over 55%) and a large amount of samian ware, whereas pits 4943, 14041 and 4153 (all in area K) had higher than average proportions of drinking vessels. Concerning the individual vessel classes, there were increases in beakers(3%), dishes (2%), flagons (3%), mortaria (15%) and olive oil amphorae (accounting for over half of the olive oil amphorae by weight present in the seven phases of the site analysed in this study). Levels of samian remained largely constant, with substantial decreases being noted in locally made bowls and storage-jars.

Correspondence analysis: excavated area (see Figures 8a and 8b)

The main trend in CA by excavated area was the strong correspondence between area W and mortaria, olive oil amphorae and flagons. Although the mortaria could be accounted for by the presence of the new kiln, the high proportions of flagons and olive oil amphorae are very unusual, not being paralleled in this or any earlier period. Such disparity hints at some kind of external intervention in setting up the kiln site - possibly of provincial or municipal administration acting through the military. Military sites of this period are particularly noted for their high proportion of Dressel 20 olive oil amphorae (Evans 2001, 33), so it is feasible that soldiers and/or military potters were involved in setting up this enterprise. Indeed, as the use of mortaria at the site in previous phases was never particularly high (always less than 1% of the total assemblage), it is doubtful that the kiln site was created to satisfy local needs. Otherwise, no strong patterns emerged from CA.

Correspondence analysis: assemblage/feature (see Figures 15a and 15b)

In CA by excavated feature, the main trend was the clustering of the three features from area W in close proximity to the new mortarium kiln, corresponding to mortaria, olive oil amphorae and flagons, reinforcing the trends from the CA by excavated area. An additional pattern in this plot was the correspondence of three pits from area K (4943, 4536 and 4153) with all three drinking vessels forms (beakers, butt-beakers and samian cups). The emphasis on drinking vessels in several assemblages in area K is unusual for the period, and could represent a localised resurgence of older drinking practices at the site. Indeed, similar increases were noted at other sites in the region, notably Baldock (Herts) and the nearby site of Chelmsford. Finally, the well assemblage (6280) from area H directly corresponded to dishes, because of the high proportion of dining vessels in this feature. Such a correspondence between wells and dining vessels was not uncommon at other sites in the 2nd century in south-east Britain, probably representing some form of ritual practice (Pitts 2005c).

 PREVIOUS   NEXT   CONTENTS   HOME 

© Internet Archaeology URL: http://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue21/2/3_7.html
Last updated: Tue May 08 2007