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MORTARIUM
Unique ID: LANCUM-076BC5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Large mortarium (mixing bowl) base fragment dating from the Roman period, i.e. c. AD43-410, most probably the earlier Roman period (late 1st or 2nd century). The sherd probably made up c. 1/3 of the mortarium's base is made from whiteish/cream-coloured fabric with some sandy inclusions. Inclusions also include small bits of grit, espeically near and on the surface of the inside which is the most distintive feature of Roman mortaria. They were made locally and were part of most if not all Roman households. This mortarium was wheel-made, which is suggested by the circular grooves on the bottom of the sherd; they might stem from the plate it was resting on when shaped.
Mortaria are shallow bowl with a thick rim and more often than not a wide spout on one side. Some finer wares were painted and most of them show a potter's mark (stamp) on the rim. The inside was alwast gritted with little sharp pellets and used with a pestle, it was an effective way of grinding herbs, spices and fruit.
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: ROMAN
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: AD 43
Date to: AD 410
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 97.9 mm
Width: 71.9 mm
Thickness: 28.9 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st July 2008
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Ceramic
Manufacture method: Wheel made
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Cumbria (County)
District: Allerdale (District)
To be known as: Maryport
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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