Peuce (Nov 2018)
Amphorae ex Aegysso. Fragments from Older Excavations
Abstract
This paper presents a sample of early and late Roman amphorae fragments discovered during several excavations performed at Aegyssus–Tulcea-Colnicul Hora in the 1959-1996 period, with the purpose of bringing a small contribution to the study of the economic history of the Roman Empire. The sample consists of 458 fragments. Typologically, 17 amphora types were identified, some of which have different versions: Dressel 43, Dressel 2-5, Dressel 24, Zeest 72, Zeest 94 (Šelov B and C), Berenice Middle Roman Amphora 5, Kapitän II, Agora M273, Kuzmanov XV-XVI, Spatheion, Opaiț D II, Opaiț D III, Opaiț E I – c, Carthage Late Roman Amphora 1, Carthage Late Roman Amphora 2, Carthage Late Roman Amphora 3 and Carthage Late Roman Amphora 4. Furthermore, out of these 17 types, it was determined, based on macroscopic fabric comparison, that 5 types were of Aegean origin, 3 types from the Eastern Mediteranean Coast, 7 types of Black Sea origin, one type from North Africa, while the LRA 1 and even LRA 2 types were produced in various centres in the Eastern part of the Empire. Chronologically, 5 types were distributed during the Early Roman Period, 10 types during the Late Roman Period and 2 types have been traced to the period between the 3rd and 4th century AD. Last but not least, the paper also proposes a method of calculating quantities of imported wine and olive oil during the two time periods of the Roman Empire.
