MORTARIUM

A bodysherd of a wheel thrown ceramic vessel of Roman dating.

The sherd is 7.70mm thick and weighs 6.81 grams. It is 27.23mm long and 27.08mm wide.

The sherd consists of a bodysherd with an oxidised fabric with a red slip. This fabric type is consistent with an imported fine ware from Gaul, known as Samian ware. This pottery type is typically dates from the 1st to 3rd Century AD. Subtle differences in the fabric can distinguish the origin of the pottery from South Gaul to Central Gaul or East Gaul.

Small grits are present on the internal surface, suggesting that the sherd was originally from a mortarium (grinding bowl) type vessel, probably that of a Dragendorff 43, which tend to be predominately late 2nd Century (post c. AD 170). Most examples are East Gaulish, so importation up to the mid 3rd Century is possible (Webster, 2005, 53).

Sherd specific details:
Fabric type: samian
Thickness: 6.23mm
Firing condition: oxidised exterior, oxidised core, oxidised interior.
Hardness: Hard
Surface treatment: dark red slip
Surface texture: Smooth.
Condition of sherds: Abraded.

Sherd has been photographed.

Reference:
Webster, P. 2005. Roman Samian Pottery in Britain (reprint). Practical Handbook in Archaeology 13. Council for British Archaeology. York.