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Appendix: Ave Valley Fabric Descriptions

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Note: The 1st walk and 2nd walk links go to the pottery database.

Pottery Fabrics

100 - Not used.

101 - 110 Micaceous Wares

101 - Highly micaceous ware, usually dark grey or brown, associated with hand-made forms.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Unoxidised or partially oxidised ware, generally dark grey and/or brown. This fabric is hard with somewhat hackly fractures. Mica flakes (muscovite) occur in moderate to common frequency, being of variable sizes up to 5mm and typically, are ill-sorted. Quartz grains also occur but are much less frequent than mica. Surfaces, where extant, are very often smooth.
This is a fairly broad category and is clearly associated with hand-made forms, including vessels with everted rims and handles. Often the original sherd surfaces have not survived amongst the field-collected items, having been abraded. This fabric category equates to the micaceous ware typical of the "Castrejan pottery" of northern Portugal (Da Silva 1986), which is tempered with mica schist.
The nature of this fabric means that it is fairly fragile and hence this may give rise to a comparatively low average sherd weight despite the comparative thickness of many of the sherds in the ware. The fragmentary nature of sherds of this fabric type means that it is often difficult to find suitable sherds to draw (cf. Little 1985) and hence it is probably under-represented amongst the drawn material. However, it evidently occurred in a wide variety of forms. This fabric occurs widely at castro sites within the area of the Ave Valley survey, being recorded, for instance, from Citania de S. Lourenço (material in Esposende Museum), Citania de Penices, Citania de Terroso and Citania de Sanfins.

102 - Very coarse oxidised ware, associated with large storage type vessels, especially dolia.
From 1st walk only
The fabric is generally reddish yellow to yellow in appearance. It is fairly hard with a very rough feel and somewhat hackly breaks. Mica (muscovite) is usually moderate to common, essentially c. 3mm and less in longest dimension. Quartz fragments and grains (sub-angular to sub-rounded) are moderate to common and generally 2.5mm and less. In addition red (?ferrous) pellets occur, being rare and of variable size. Clay pellets are associated.
This is a coarse fabric and sherds are normally thick or very thick, and occasionally massive. Several rim sherds from dolia occur in this fabric amongst the survey material, for example from Fields 588, 599, 637, and 638. Dolia in this fabric (or characteristically similar fabrics) are fairly common within the general region from the Flavian period and they are evidently a local product. Their great size means that they are unlikely to have travelled much distance, while their fabric inclusion suite is consistent with a local origin. The rims forms represented amongst the survey material are well executed and appear to have been turned or finished by turning. The type probably had a smoothed original surface which has been lost from many of the recovered examples. Dolia in 102 or a closely similar fabric have been recovered from the castro site at S. Lourenço (material in Esposende Museum) and at Braga, Bracara Augusta (material in Braga Museum).

103 - Generally unoxidised ware with plentiful inclusions.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Generally unoxidised or partially oxidised fabric; fairly soft with irregular fractures. Common to abundant inclusions are present, but this is a less heavily micaceous ware than 101. Quartz grains are sparse. White and red pellets (1mm) occur in moderate to common frequency; less coarse than 101 and 102. Examples of both wheel and hand- made forms occur in this ware. This fabric is similar to 307; though not oxidised, it might be the precursor of 307.

104 - Oxidized micaceous fabric, similar to 101 and associated with hand-made forms.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
A micaceous fabric, typically oxidised yellow or reddish/yellowish-brown. Similar to Fabric 101 and probably represents an oxidised variant of that fabric though some examples have less frequent mica than is the case with Fabric 101. Fabric 104 is less common amongst the survey material than 101 and this reflects the pattern identifiable at the Citania de Terroso and the Citania de Penices, and probably more widely, where the unoxidised micaceous fabric is more prominent.

105 - Oxidized, fairly fine, fabric, associated with hand-made forms.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Oxidized pale yellowish-brown fabric; relatively fine. The fabric is fairly soft and fractures are slightly hackly. Mica fragments, c. 2.5mm are sparse or rare. Fine quartz grains are rare. Associated with hand-made vessels, some having combed exterior surfaces; for instance, sherds from Field 289 are finely comb-decorated.

106 - Finer ware, generally un- or partially oxidised, associated with hand-made forms.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Finer ware, generally un- or partially oxidised and appearing dark grey. This is a fairly hard fabric with somewhat hackly fractures. Inclusions consist of very fine mica, which is moderate, and fine quartz grains are also moderate. Sherds typically have well- burnished interior and exterior surfaces and some appear to be associated with hand- made forms; one may be from a platter.

107 - Coarse, partially oxidised, heavily tempered ware.
From 1st walk only
This is a distinctive fabric, partially oxidised, ranging between grey brown and light red. It is hard with hackly fractures, and it is tempered with common to abundant angular quartz fragments, c. 3.5mm and less, which are ill-sorted. Muscovite is sparse to common. Extant original surfaces are very smooth. Sherds are associated with hand-made forms. This is a comparatively rare fabric amongst the survey assemblage.

108 - A very coarse oxidised ware, associated with large storage type vessels, especially dolia.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
A distinctive fabric, generally pink to red-grey with abundant inclusions. Angular quartz fragments (c. 3mm and less), red pellets and mica are common; felspar also appears to be present. Original surfaces often appear carefully smoothed. This fabric shows a general similarity to Fabric 102, though it is typically more red in colour and perhaps coarser. Associated with large storage vessels (dolia).

109 - Light grey micaceous fabric
From 1st walk only
Light grey fabric, fairly soft, with irregular fractures. Surfaces have a soapy feel. Fine muscovite is common. Ill-sorted quartz grains are sparse to rare, ranging from c. 2.5mm and less. This is a rare fabric amongst the survey assemblage. Part of a handle is represented from Field 470 but it is unclear whether this fabric is associated with hand-or wheel made vessels, or both.

110 - Comparatively fine micaceous grey ware.
From 1st walk only
A dark grey to brown fabric, fairly soft with regular fractures. It contains fine/very fine mica and quartz inclusions both of which are moderate to common. It is associated with thin walled vessels, perhaps wheel-made. This is a rare fabric type amongst the survey assemblage, though it occurs at the Citania de Terroso.

201 - 216 Grey/Unoxidised Wares

201 - Very fine grey ware/s.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Sherds are dark grey throughout and come from very thin walled vessels, between c.1.75 and 3mm thick; typically they are 2mm thick. The fabric is fairly hard and fractures are regular. Very fine inclusions of mica and quartz grains are occasionally present. Some sherds have a grey colour/slip coating. There is some variation in the detail of sherd fabrics and more than one source is probable. This ware appears to be the unoxidised equivalent of Fabric 301. The thin walled character of vessels in this fabric result in very small sherds of very low average weight; suitable sherds for illustration are few.

202 - Moderately coarse grey ware.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
A coarser grey ware category than 201. 202 defines coarser grey wares often with dark grey cores and surfaces, with brown margins. Sherds may well derive from several sources. Surfaces are generally fairly smooth, and the fabric is hard. Fine and coarser quartz grains (but under 1mm) occur, generally in moderate frequency. Associated with thicker walled vessels than 201. Surfaces are almost invariably dark; some sherds at least have a slip coating. This is probably a variant of Fabric 205.

203 - Partially oxidised ware with consistently grey exterior surfaces.
From 1st walk only
Fabric 203 has a light red core and margins, though the exterior surfaces (and, variably, the interior surface), are consistently grey. Fine mica, quartz grains and red (?ferrous) pellets are sparse. This is probably a partially oxidised variant of Fabric 212. It is superficially similar to 308, but generally has less inclusions.

204 - Distinctive quartz tempered grey ware associated with thin walled forms/small bowls.
From 1st walk only
The fabric is dark grey throughout. It is hard with a rough irregular surface and a hackly fracture. Quartz grains are common and mica also occurs. Fabric surfaces are somewhat shiny having a 'gun-metal' appearance. This fabric seems to have been fired to a comparatively high temperature. This is not a common fabric. It is associated particularly with bowls having a flanged rim with a grooved flange terminal.

205 - Grey fabric, probably equivalent to 308.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Sherds are generally dark grey throughout. Examples are of variable hardness, ranging from fairly soft to hard, though they invariably have a smooth soapy feel. Very fine mica and fine red pellets and quartz grains occur in rare to sparse frequency. 205 is associated with wheel-made forms and is seemingly an unoxidised version of 308.

206 - Light grey fabric, with comparatively few inclusions.
From 1st walk only
Mid to light grey fabric, often having dark grey surfaces. The fabric is soft with a very slightly rough feel. Very fine mica is rare/sparse; fine/very fine sub-rounded quartz grains are rarer. Darker reddish brown pellets (c. 1mm and less), presumably ferrous inclusions, are rare but distinctive; they appear darker than in other fabrics, probably as a result of firing. This is a relatively infrequent fabric amongst the survey assemblage which is associated with wheel-made forms.

207 - Coarse grey ware with quartz temper.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Coarse grey ware, ranging between dark and light grey. The fabric is hard with hackly fractures. Fine sub-rounded quartz grains are rare as are mica flakes (c. 1mm). Sub- rounded quartz fragments (c. 3-4mm) are also rare but distinctive. This is an infrequent category amongst the survey material, and the sherds represented may come from more than one source.

208 - Not in use.

209 - Grey ware with quartz and mica.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Distinctive coarse grey ware category comprising sherds which have mid to light grey cores and margins and, typically, dark grey surfaces. This is a hard fabric with a distinctly rough feel and hackly fractures. Fine angular quartz/sand grains are moderate while very fine mica is also present. Associated with wheel-made forms.

210 - Very fine grey ware with burnished surfaces.
From 1st walk only
Sherds are mid to dark-grey with some patches of oxidization. 210 is hard with regular fractures and well burnished surfaces. Inclusions are very fine/fine, comprising rare mica and quartz. The clay matrix is very fine. This is an infrequent category amongst the survey assemblage. Fabric 306 is a characteristically similar oxidised ware. The cultural association of 210 is uncertain; there are no items which are diagnostic of form.

211 - Fairly fine grey ware.
From 1st walk only
Fairly fine fabric; core and margins are dark grey; surfaces may be mid-brownish-grey or dark grey. The fabric is hard with a smooth feel. Very fine mica is common. Fine quartz grains are rare. This is an uncommon fabric amongst the survey assemblage.

212 - Distinctive grey ware with few inclusions.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
This distinctive grey ware displays cores which are typically light grey, with surfaces having a characteristic mid to dark grey colour. It is fairly hard with regular fractures and a soapy feel. Inclusions comprise very fine mica which is rare to sparse, and very fine quartz/sand which is rare. Associated with wheel-made/finished forms. This appears to be generally an unoxidised version of Fabric 308, with few inclusions. (The fabric occurs amongst the assemblage excavated at Vizela-fonte by Francisco Queiroga).

213 - Fine grey ware fabric.
From 1st walk only
Sherds have grey exteriors, occasionally grey cores and oxidised interior surfaces and margins. This is a hard fabric with a smooth feel and regular fractures. Fine quartz and mica are sparse. Appears to be a variant of 201 and 301.

214 - Coarse ware with pale grey surfaces and pale red core.
From 1st walk only
A reasonably distinctive fabric with mid to light grey surfaces, red margins and a grey or red core. 214 is hard with a fairly smooth feel. Fine mica is sparse to moderate. Fine quartz grains and quartz fragments, c. 1.5mm, are rare. Associated with wheel-made vessels. This fabric is poorly represented amongst the survey assemblage.

215 - Grey ware with red core.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
This category has dark grey unoxidised exterior surfaces (and not infrequently margins) and an oxidised red core; in some cases the interior is also oxidised red, in others it is unoxidised; margins too may be unoxidised. The fabric is hard with regular fractures. Surfaces are fairly smooth. Coarse angular quartz grains are rare. Sherds are closely associated with hard fired, wheel-made vessels.

216 - Partially oxidised coarse ware
From 1st walk only
Pale grey throughout, this is a hard fired fabric with regular fractures and a mildly rough feel. The fabric matrix contains very fine mica which is rare to sparse, plus quartz grains and rarer fine dark inclusions, perhaps ferrous pellets. The sherd from field 166 is 8mm thick.

301 - 330 Oxidized Wares

301 - Very fine light red ware.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
301 is a fine fabric, light red throughout. It is generally fairly hard with a smooth finish. Fine/very fine mica occurs in moderate frequency as do fine quartz grains in some sherds. Fine/very fine red pellets also occur. This ware appears to be the oxidised equivalent of Fabric 201. The thin walled character of vessels in this fabric result in very small sherds of very low average weight; suitable sherds for illustration are few. This ware possibly represents a long lived tradition, or shared techniques of production over time. Associated with wheel-made forms.

302 - Generally red, high fired fabric.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Items of this category occur in a pale red to red fabric. Generally harder than other fabrics in the 300 range and often occurring with darker red wiped surfaces. Surfaces are slightly rough with oxidised slip coating common, usually red. Quartz grains and mica occur. Associated with wheel-made forms; modern.

303 - Buff fabric with occasional quartz fragments.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Very pale brown to buff fabric with some examples displaying unoxidised cores. Fairly hard fabric with a soapy feel. Rare fragments of quartz occur, 1.5mm and less, and are fairly distinctive. Fine/very fine inclusions of mica, red pellets and quartz grains are sparse. Associated with wheel-made forms. Surfaces are typically very smooth. This is the equivalent of Braga Fabric 'Pasta 3D XXXL'.

304 - Red coarse fabric.
From 1st walk only
Red fabric, fairly coarse, but with smoothed surfaces. This is a hard fabric with regular fractures. Coarse quartz fragments c. 2mm are sparse, whilst fine quartz grains are moderate in frequency. Fine mica and red pellets are also present in rare/sparse frequency. Surfaces are very smooth. This is an infrequent fabric amongst the assemblage from the survey. Sherds occur amongst the groups from Fields 18 and 44.

305 - 'Late Roman African Red-Slipped ware/Clara D/TS H' or equivalent
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
The fabric is deep red, with surfaces being red-slipped. Examples are hard with a smooth feel and regular fractures. The fabric matrix is finer than 304. Very fine/fine mica and quartz are also present in sparse frequency. All examples in this fabric are associated with wheel-made forms, principally large bowls and dishes.
Bases such as that from Field 38 are probably omphalous or near omphalous.
Rim types are highly consistent. The rim from Field 15 is possibly comparatively early. The fragment from Field 22 comes from a flagon. Fabric 315 appears to be a coarser variant of this ware.

306 - Light red fine fabric with burnished surfaces.
From 1st walk only
The fabric is pale red throughout. It is very hard, with regular fractures. Fine mica inclusions and fine quartz grains are sparse. Fabric surfaces are very smooth and regular. This may well be a modern fabric. Fabric 210 is a characteristically similar unoxidised ware and, like 210, Fabric 306 is rare amongst the survey assemblage.

307 - Coarse light red fabric.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Light red fabric, fairly hard with, generally, regular fractures. Inclusions are abundant, comprising mica, quartz grains and red pellets. Larger quartz fragments, c. 1-1.5mm, are rare to sparse. Apparently a somewhat coarser variant of 308. Associated with wheel- made forms.

308 - Light red fabric, associated with wheel-made vessels.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Light red, hard, fabric, generally with regular fractures. Fine mica is present in generally sparse to moderate frequency. Fine/very fine quartz grains are moderate. 301 appears to be a finer variant of this common fabric. 307 is a coarser version, while 205, is an apparently unoxidised equivalent. Some glazed sherds have fabrics which appear superficially similar to 308 (e.g. a sherd from Field 191) and items of this sort have been assigned to Fabric 312.

309 - Mid and dark red fabric.
From 1st walk only
Red fabric, hard, with smooth surfaces. Relatively free of inclusions, excepting rare mica flakes and very rare quartz grains. A body sherd from Field 258 looks as though it may be from a typologically Roman jar, while the rim from Field 74 might also be Roman.

310 - Hard fabric with yellow brown-brown surfaces.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
This fabric has variably oxidised cores, whilst margins and surfaces are yellowish brown to brown. It is hard with regular fractures. Surfaces have been smoothed, and one body sherd from Field 425 has combing on its exterior. Fine and very fine mica and quartz are sparse.

311 - Light red fabric with few inclusions.
From 1st walk only
A light red, hard fabric. Fine/very fine mica is moderate to common. Fine/very fine quartz grains are sparse. There are only two examples of this fabric, both body sherds, one with a stamp-decorated exterior surface. The exterior surface of this sherd may originally have been dark slip coated. This item may be from an early medieval vessel.

312 - Light red fine fabric with thin glaze.
From 1st walk only | From 2nd walk
The fabric is light red throughout and of variable hardness. Fine and very fine mica is common; red (?ferrous) pellets are the only inclusion and are rare. A light yellow-brown glaze may occur on interior and/or exterior surfaces. This fabric is similar to 313 and 317.

313 - Pink fabric with reddish-yellow colour-coat.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
The fabric ranges from buff to light red and is fairly soft with a soapy feel. Few inclusions are present; quartz grains occur but are very rare; very fine mica is sparse. Associated with wheel-made forms and should probably be equated with 302.

314 - Buff/yellow fabric with slip.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
The fabric is buff-yellow with a darker colour-coat. The fabric is hard with a soapy feel. Fine quartz grains are rare to sparse; other very fine inclusions are rare. Associated with wheel-made forms. Perhaps a variant of Fabric 303.

315 - Red, hard fabric with slip.
From 1st walk only
The fabric is red with a strong red slip. It is hard with sharp regular fractures. Sub-rounded quartz grains c. 1.1mm occur in moderate frequency and are probably responsible for the occasional pimply appearance of the surfaces of this fabric. Associated with wheel- made forms and probably a coarser variant of 305, though conceivably some modern sherds might appear in such a fabric.

316 - Buff to light red fabric with few inclusions.
From 1st walk only
The fabric can range from buff to light red. The fabric is soft with a slightly rough powdery feel. Fine mica is moderate to common. Very fine quartz/sand grains are rare. Associated with wheel-made forms. Sherds in this ware seem to come from glazed vessels from which the glaze has been lost. The fabric is characteristically similar to Fabric 312.

317 - Fine buff fabric.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Buff to very pale brown fine fabric, soft with a soapy feel. The clay matrix is very fine; very fine mica is moderate; other fine inclusions are rare. Associated with wheel-made forms. Sherds in this category may well derive from a number of different sources.

318 - Generally red coarse fabric, probably equates to 307.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
This is a generally red, fairly coarse, fabric which is hard. 318 has plentiful inclusions which include fine mica, quartz grains and rare red pellets. Associated with wheel-made forms. One example, from Field 39, comes from a vessel with legs, perhaps a tripod bowl. This category can probably be equated with 307.

319 - Red, comparatively fine, fabric.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Red fabric, fairly hard with a slightly abrasive feel. Fine mica and quartz grains are sparse to moderate; occasional larger 'sub-rounded' quartz grains occur. This is a comparatively fine fabric which is associated with rather fragmented sherds.

320 - Pink fabric, comparatively fine.
From 1st walk only
Pink fabric, fairly hard with a smooth feel. Very fine mica is sparse to moderate. Fine quartz/sand grains and fine/very fine powdery red pellets are rare. This is an infrequent fabric amongst the survey assemblage. The clay paste is fine and it is associated with comparatively fine forms.

321 - Buff-pink colour-coated ware.
From 1st walk only
The fabric is buff-pink throughout with colour-coats on the exterior and/or interior which range from red to dark-brown. This is a fairly soft fabric with irregular fractures and a slightly rough feel. Fine mica plates occur in moderate frequency and are distinctive; few other inclusions are present. The fabric is similar to 316. Probably modern.

322 - Fine red fabric.
From 1st walk only
322 is dull red throughout. This is a fairly soft fabric with regular fractures and a smooth feel. Inclusions are infrequent comprising very fine mica which is rare to sparse; fine quartz grains are rare. Pale yellow specks may also be present. This is a dense, fine, fabric. It is not common amongst the survey assemblage. Examples tend to have burnished surfaces and are thin walled.

323 - Coarse micaceous fabric.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Yellowish brown fabric which is hard fired with regular fractures. The fabric feels rough. Mica plates are more common than with the majority of other fabrics (eg. 308) while coarse angular grains up to 0.75mm are rare to moderate . This is one of the coarsest wares amongst the survey assemblage.

324 - Oxidized coarse ware.
From 1st walk only
The fabric is red to yellowish brown; it is soft, somewhat crumbly, and has abraded fractures and a rough feel. Fine quartz grains are sparse, whilst larger quartz fragments up to 3mm are rare. The sherd from field 166 is 6mm thick and appears to come from a hand-made vessel.

325 - Fine oxidised fabric, associated with thin walled vessels.
From 1st walk only
A similar Fabric to 301 but with a dark slip-coat on the exterior, while also being a much harder fired fabric. Sherds are associated with wheel-made thin-walled vessels, c. 2.5mm thick, often with some decoration. This is an infrequent fabric amongst the survey assemblage. Probably modern.

326 - Distinctive fine red fabric.
From 1st walk only
This is a distinctive pale red fabric which is hard with a soapy feel. Fractures are regular. Inclusions are fine and comprise mica, quartz grains and red pellets, all being rare to sparse in frequency; gold mica plates also occur. The fabric is similar to 301. The exterior surface has a dark reddish black slip.

327 - Red fine ware fabric, similar to 305.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
This fabric is reddish pink throughout. It is soft with a soapy feel and regular fractures. Mica plates ranging from very fine to 2mm are sparse; fine quartz grains are rare. Sherds are frequently red slipped and highly burnished, and occur in similar wheel-made forms to those of 305. This appears to be a variant of 305.

328 - Central Gaulish Terra Sigillata.
From 1st walk only

329 - Pale pink fabric.
From 1st walk only
329 is pale pink throughout and fairly hard with regular fractures. Fine mica is moderate to common and there are few other inclusions. Characteristically similar to 316. This is a rare fabric amongst the survey assemblage.

330 - Coarse, distinctive, micaceous fabric.
From 1st walk only
Sherds are normally oxidised pale red throughout. The fabric is soft and has a soapy feel, whilst fractures are regular. Mica plates ranging up to 1.5mm are sparse; quartz grains up to 2mm are rare and red pellets, c. 1mm, are similarly rare. This may be a variant of 307.

401 - 404 Heavily Quartz Tempered Fabrics, Associated With Large Vessels

401 - Very coarse, partially oxidised fabric.
From 1st walk only
A coarse variably oxidised fabric, ranging from pale red to pale yellow brown. 401 is fairly hard with a markedly rough feel and hackly fractures. Well sorted sub-angular fragments of quartz c. 1mm and smaller are sparse. Red and brownish yellow (clay) pellets are rare. Gold mica is also rare. There is only one example of this fabric in the survey assemblage, from Field 422.

402 - Very coarse, partially oxidised fabric.
From 1st walk only
A coarse variably oxidised fabric, occuring either reddish brown throughout or with reddish brown surfaces and a grey core. The fabric is hard with somewhat hackly fractures. Surfaces are often smoothed and well-finished. Large quartz grains c. 0.8mm are common and noticeably well-sorted. Vessels are generally well finished and were probably manufactured with the aid of a wheel. A dolium rim in this fabric was recovered from Field 39. Dolia in this fabric are known from elsewhere in the Ave Valley region, an example, for instance, coming from the castro site at S. Lourenço is on display in Esposende Museum.

403 - Oxidized coarse fabric.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Sherds are generally oxidised or partially oxidised and can be light brown, red or brownish yellow. This is a moderately hard fabric with hackly fractures. Ill-sorted quartz grains up to 3.5mm are moderate to common. Mica up to 1.5mm is sparse. This may be a rougher version of 402, perhaps its predecessor.

404 - Reddish brown fabric.
From 1st walk only
The fabric is reddish brown throughout and is fairly soft. Well-sorted quartz grains c. 0.8mm are common to abundant. There is only 1 sherd from the survey in this fabric, this item coming from Field 790.

501 - All Glazed Wares, bar 312.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

601 - 604 Coarse Wares With Frequent Tempering With Granite And Quartz Fragments

601 - Oxidized fabric with very coarse inclusions.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
This is a variably oxidised fabric; light red where oxidised. This category is hard, with hackly fractures. Inclusions include sub-angular quartz fragments c. 4mm and less, which are moderate, together with some finer grains of quartz and mica plates, c. 1.5mm and less, which are rare to sparse. Gold and black mica plates are occasionally present. These tempers appear granite derived. 601 is associated with hand-made vessels. Surfaces are typically quite smooth.

602 - Variably oxidised fabric with quartz and mica.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Sherds are un- or partially oxidised, and the fabric is hard with hackly fractures. Angular quartz fragments and grains c. 1.5mm and less, are common to abundant. Some fine mica also occurs including gold and black mica; in some cases this is moderate to common. Sherds are typically abraded and have lost their original surfaces. This fabric appears to be associated with hand-made vessels.

603 - Variably oxidised fabric with quartz and biotite mica.
From 1st walk only
Sherds are variably oxidised, and hard with hackly fractures. Sub-angular coarse quartz grains (not exceeding 1mm) are sparse to moderate; mica, including much black mica 1.5mm and less is typically moderate. The drawn handle fragment in this fabric from Field 98 is unusual. This fabric is associated with hand-made vessels and is probably a variant of Fabric 101.

604 - Moderately coarse buff fabric with quartz/granite inclusions.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk
Only 1 sherd in this fabric was recovered in the course of the survey, this being a rim from Field 854.

701 Amphora

701 - Baetican amphora fabric (cf. Tyers 1996, 87).
From 1st walk only

Tile/Brick Fabrics

Where fabric types occur unequivocally in tegula (flat roof tile) and/or imbrix (curved roof tile) form this is stated below. Many pieces of tile amongst the recovered sample are not specifically diagnostic of form and so an absence of certain examples of a tile type in a particular fabric does not necessarily mean that it was not used for the production of a specific type.

1001 - All modern and post-medieval tile fragments.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

1002 - Pink fabric (5YR 8/3 to 7/4). The fabric is fairly hard with a somewhat rough feel. The clay matrix contains red pellets (c. 5mm and less) in rare frequency, while quartz fragments c. 3mm and less are equally rare. This category may form a continuum with 1005/1006 and 1022.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

1003 - Reddish-yellow fabric (5YR 6/8 - 7/8), hard and fairly coarse with a fairly rough feel and hackly fractures. Fragments of quartz c. 2mm (occasionally larger) are rare, as are red pellets c. 5mm and less. An amount of clay, firing to a yellow colour is poorly mixed within what is generally a red matrix and this often forms irregular lenses. Associated with tegulae and imbrix types.
From 1st walk only

1004 - Light red fabric (2.5 YR 6/6) with a smooth feel and relatively few inclusions. This is a hard, dense and distinctive fabric which typically displays sharp regular fractures. Fine quartz/sand inclusions are rare/very rare. Lower parts of individual tiles may be yellow and occasionally a sandwich effect is visible. Associated with tegulae and imbrix types. One fragment from Field 39 seems to have been broken for use as a tessera.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

1005 - Pale pink (7.5YR 8/4) to very pale brown (10YR 8/3) fabric. 1005 is soft, with a distinctive smooth powdery/soapy feel and with often irregular or hackly fractures. Red pellets c. 3mm are normally rare with finer examples being sparse. Similarly, angular quartz fragments can occur but are rare. This fabric is widespread within the survey area. Associated with tegulae and imbrix types. This fabric is present at Vizela (excavations by F. Queiroga), from where examples in tegula form occur.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

1006 - This is a coarser version of 1005, of similar colour and hardness. It differs from 1005 in having a rougher feel and may have been fired to a higher temperature. Quartz fragments on the whole are more frequent than with 1005, often being c. 2.5mm in diameter. Red pellets may also be more common. Again this is evidently a common type within the area of the survey. Associated with tegulae and imbrix types. Two fragments with sections of tally/signature marks represented were recovered from Field 638.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

1007 - Light red (10R 6/6) and pink (7.5YR 8/4) fabric. This is a comparatively hard fabric which can display poor mixing of clays giving rise to extensive interleaving of thin red and yellow bands after firing. Colour apart this is a similar fabric to 1005 and may represent a variant made from more iron rich clay.
From 1st walk only

1008 - A red fabric (5YR 5/6 - 6/6), which is hard and coarse with a very rough feel. Fractures are usually hackly. Large quartz fragments (c. 3.5mm) and/or smaller pieces are common and are usually well-sorted. Fine quartz/sand grains are also frequent. Red pellets can occur but are rarely prominent. 1019 is a similar fabric though fired to a pale yellowish-brown colour. Associated with tegulae and imbrix forms. This fabric type also occurs at the Citânia de Sanfins and the Citânia de Terroso, as well as at Vizela (excavations by F. Queiroga) from where an example in imbrix form is known.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

1009 - A distinctive pale pink fabric, relatively free of coarse inclusions. The fabric is soft with fairly regular fractures and only a slightly rough feel. Quartz fragments c. 3.5mm are very rare; fine red pellets are rare as is very fine mica. Associated with tegula and imbrix forms. This fabric type occurs at the Citânia de Terroso.
From 1st walk only

1010 - Light red (e.g. 2.5 YR 6/8) to reddish yellow fabric (e.g. 5YR 7/6). This is a hard fabric with irregular fractures and a slightly rough feel. Quartz fragments are absent or very rare; brownish-yellow clay pellets of variable size are rare to sparse; fine red pellets are also rare to sparse. Associated with tegulae.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

1011 - In general appearance a reddish yellow fabric (5YR 7/6) but close inspection shows a poorly mixed range of darker and lighter bands and lenses fired yellow and red. The fabric is often soft with a powdery/soapy feel, though some examples are significantly harder. Red pellets, c. 1mm and less are rare to sparse, otherwise the matrix is largely free of coarse inclusions; fine quartz/sand grains occur in rare frequency. Associated with tegulae.
From 1st walk | From 2nd walk

1012 - Pink fabric (5YR 7/4 - 7.5YR 8/4). This is a coarse hard fabric with a rough feel and hackly fractures. Large quartz fragments (generally c. 3.5mm and less) occur in sparse to moderate frequency. Fine quartz grains are also moderately frequent. Red pellets are usually rare with some examples containing fine pellets, others larger at c. 3mm. Apparently a much coarser version of 1006. Both tegulae and imbrices occur in this fabric. This fabric type is present at the Citânia de Terroso and at Vizela (excavations by F. Queiroga) where examples in tegulae form occur.
From 1st walk only

1013 - A pink fabric (5YR 7/4 - 7.5YR 7/4) which is soft with a rough feel and fairly regular fractures. The clay matrix is noticeably granular at fracture. Quartz fragments and red pellets c. 2.5mm and less can be sparse to rare; fine sand/quartz grains are moderate to common. Tegulae occur in this fabric. Broadly equivalent to fabrics 1005 and 1006.
From 1st walk only

1014 - Reddish-yellow fabric (ranging 5YR 7/6 - 7.5YR 8/6). Of variable hardness (some examples being soft, others fairly hard), with a rough feel. This fabric is largely free of coarse inclusions though it contains sparse grains of sand/quartz and rare fine mica. Tegulae occur in this fabric.
From 1st walk only

1015 - This is a red fabric, hard, with regular fractures and an exceptionally rough feel. Well-sorted fine quartz grains and mica flakes are moderate to common; in some fragments the quartz grains are very fine and hence the feel is less rough. This is a comparatively rare fabric type amongst the survey sample. Tegulae occur in this fabric.
From 1st walk only

1016 - This is a pink fabric, hard with a slightly rough feel. Fractures are regular. This fabric type is similar in general appearance to 1002 and 1005 and the clay matrix is comparatively free of inclusions with the exception that fine silver mica is noticeably frequent. Gold mica flakes c. 1mm are present and, although rare, are a distinctive characteristic. Imbrices occur in this fabric. Fragments are rare amongst the survey assemblage.
From 1st walk only

1017 - A pale pink to reddish-brown fabric. Similar to 1005 but somewhat darker in colour and harder, with an unusually high frequency of silver mica.
From 1st walk only

1018 - An unusually dark reddish-brown fabric, hard with a very rough feel. The clay matrix appears somewhat granular at fractures. Red pellets and quartz fragments are sparse to moderate and comparatively fine. Fine quartz grains occur in sparse frequency. Tegula and imbrix types occur in this fabric.
From 1st walk only

1019 - A coarse light brown fabric which is soft with irregular fractures and a rough feel. Angular quartz fragments c. 4mm and less are common; fine muscovite mica is moderate. Red pellets are noticeably absent or rare. The colour difference apart, this is a characteristically similar fabric to 1008. Imbrices occur in this fabric.
From 1st walk only

1020 - This fabric is identical to Fabric 1012 but for the presence of yellow clay pellets and isolated lenses. Hence 1020 may be considered a sub-category/variant of 1012. Imbrices occur in this fabric.
From 1st walk only

1021 - This fabric is pale red throughout. It is fairly soft with regular fractures and a rough feel. Fine, well-sorted, inclusions of quartz mica and other grains are moderate to common. This is an infrequent fabric amongst the survey assemblage; a fragment from Field 761 may come from a tegula.
From 1st walk only

1022 - A highly distinctive 'clean' brownish-yellow fabric which is soft with a powdery/soapy feel and abraded fractures. Very fine mica occurs in some frequency, otherwise coarse inclusions are very rare or absent. Occasional red pellets occur. 1022 is similar to survey pottery fabric 321. Imbrices occur in this fabric.
From 1st walk only


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Last updated: Sat Dec 30 2000