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05.07.2021

Pottery amphora

The ceramic amphora you describe is an intriguing archaeological find dating from the first half of the 3rd century AD. It was discovered during excavations conducted by the Archaeological Section of the Winchester Museum Service on Victoria Road, Winchester, during the mid to late 1970s.

This particular amphora has a large globular shape and was found in a cremation burial within the cemetery at the north gate of Roman Winchester. In this burial context, a hole was punched in the side wall of the vessel to accommodate cremated remains. Another amphora with a flat bottom accompanied this one.

Globular amphorae like this one were typically used to transport olive oil produced in southern Spain, which was part of the Roman province of Baetica. The branding on the handle of the globular vessel likely represents a Roman estate in Spain where olive trees were cultivated. These amphorae often held valuable commodities, and their presence in a burial context could symbolize the hope for luxury or provision in the afterlife.

In contrast, flat-bottomed amphorae of a different type were typically used to store wine from southern France, specifically Gaul.

This find not only provides insights into the trade and transportation of goods during the Roman period but also offers a glimpse into the beliefs and customs related to burials and the afterlife during that time.

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