A LEAD-GLAZED ATRAMENTARIUM DISCOVERED AT APULUM

Abstract

Recently, in the Southern necropolis of Apulum, an inkwell with lead-glaze was discovered, which had been deposited as funerary inventory in a cremation tomb. Only one other ceramic inkwell from the pottery centre from Micăsasa was known in Dacia. The shape of the piece is unique and represents a transposition in pottery of metal-made inkwells. Various technological aspects suggest a local production in the area of the ancient cities of Apulum, where two workshops in which glazed pottery was also manufactured are known. In parallel, glazed pieces are a relatively frequent presence in the necropolises of this urban centre, being deposited in tombs with a rich inventory. The presence of the find is a professional symbol that reflects certain professions or intellectual pursuits. It was possible to determine through a paleo-technological experiment the manner in which the artefact was manufactured.

Keywords

• apulum, funerary context, atramentarium, lead-glaze, modelling techniques, experiment.