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Appendix 1: Keywords and Definitions
Appendix 2: Physical Layout of Sherds Housed in the NRFRC
The production centres from thie region are the most diverse, with a wide range of fabrics (including lime-rich ones) produced. They are perhaps better characterised by a poor quality slip which tends toward orange.
Six samples
A number of small workshops are subsumed under this heading. The related late Argonne Red-slipped ware, with its own distinct decorative style, is described separately in this volume.
Considerable variation in fabric colour and composition is usual for this group, ranging from orange-brown (2.5YR 5/8) to red-brown (10R 5/8). Surfaces also vary but are normally red-brown (10R 5/8), sometimes with paler and yellower patches giving an almost marbled effect. The slip is not of particularly good quality being matt or semi-lustrous, often with pimples in it and surface imperfections in the clay below the slip; nevertheless, the surface can still be described as smooth. The fabric is normally dense and well fired, often almost to the point of vitrification, resulting in a hard fabric with smooth fracture.
The inclusions in this fabric are generally well sorted, normally measuring c 0.1–0.2mm with occasional inclusions reaching 0.4mm. Unlike many other samian fabrics, limestone is sparse and tends to measure <0.2mm. Fine silver mica is common, with all remaining inclusions sparse: black iron-rich grains, quartz and, occasionally, matrix-coloured clay pellets. One sherd is from a mortarium and trituration grits comprise abundant ill-sorted angular and milky quartz, some polycrystalline, and sparse quartz sandstone (1.0–2.5mm). Although the sherd originates from Argonne, it is atypical, perhaps being overfired.
A micaceous (muscovite and rare brown mica) fabric with well-sorted inclusions. Quartz is common, normally <0.1mm, occasionally to 0.2mm, with fewer opaques and glauconite, and rare feldspar. Other inclusions are normally in the same size range, apart from rare poorly-mixed clay pellets and siltstone (to c 0.5mm).
Canterbury Museums; Museum of London
University of Nottingham (Oswald-Plicque Collection); Musée des Antiquités Nationales, Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France)
Bémont, C, & Jacob, J-P (eds), 1986 La terre sigillée gallo-romaine. Lieux de production du Haut Empire: implantations, produits, relations, Documents d’Archéologie Française 6, Paris
Chenet, G, & Gaudron, G, 1955 La céramique sigillée d’Argonne des IIe et IIIe siècles, Gallia Supplément 6
Oswald, F, 1945 Decorated ware from Lavoye, J Roman Stud 35, 49–57
Ricken, H, 1934b C. Töpfer von La Madeleine, Saalburg Jahrbuch 8, 133–60
See the related record on the Atlas of Roman Pottery on the Potsherd website
Plate 22: Fresh sherd break of ARG SA (width of field 24 mm)
Plate 22.1: Photomicrograph of ARG SA (XPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
Four samples
This fabric is dull pink (10R 6/8) or pink-brown (10R 6/6) with red-brown (10R 5/6–5/8) surfaces which have a distinct brownish tinge. The slip is of good quality, smooth and semi-lustrous. Smoothing marks are visible in the slip under flanges and on internal surfaces. Sherds are hard with a conchoidal fracture and smooth feel.
The inclusions are well sorted and dominated by a distinctive, abundant scatter of limestone (normally <0.1mm, occasionally up to 0.5mm); other inclusions comprise sparse fine silver mica and very occasional grains of quartz up to 0.4mm.
This is a very fine, exceptionally micaceous fabric, with muscovite and brown mica present. Abundant rounded limestone and rare quartz are visible as silt-sized grains; larger inclusions comprise rare quartz and feldspar to c 0.2mm or rarely 0.4mm.
Historisches Museum der Pfalz, Speyer (Germany)
Historisches Museum der Pfalz, Speyer (Germany)
Knorr, R, & Sprater, F, 1927 Die Westpfälzischen Sigillata-Töpfereien von Blickweiler und Eschweiler Hof, Speyer
Roller, O, 1966 Die römischen Töpfereien von Blickweiler, Kr. St. Ingbert, und Eschweiler Hof, Gen. Kirkel-Neuhansel, Dr. Homburg, Führer zu Vor und Frühgeschichtlichen Denkmäler 6, 134–8, Mainz
See the related record on the Atlas of Roman Pottery on the Potsherd website
Plate 23: Fresh sherd break of BLW SA (width of field 24 mm)
Plate 23.1: Photomicrograph of BLW SA (XPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
Single sample
Included in this category is the Salto-Saturnus group.
Our sample is orange-brown (2.5YR 6/8) with red-brown (10R 5/8) surfaces. It is hard with a conchoidal fracture and smooth feel, and the slip is semi-lustrous and smooth. Many surface blemishes are visible in the underlying clay, with finger marks on the lower wall and turning marks under the base. The slip is patchy and where it is thinner, particularly around the footring, more orange in hue.
This fabric comprises a well-sorted silty matrix with common silver mica and sparse limestone and red iron-rich grains, normally <0.1mm and rarely larger.
Well-sorted silt-sized quartz and rare opaques are set in a micaceous clay with abundant muscovite and brown mica. Well-rounded clay pellets, only distinguishable from the matrix by a slight colour difference, are abundant and measure between c 0.4–1.0mm.
Cassius
Museum of London
Corbridge Roman Site Museum; Musée de Metz (France)
Bémont, C, & Jacob, J-P (eds), 1986 La terre sigillée gallo-romaine. Lieux de production du Haut Empire: implantations, produits, relations, Documents d’Archéologie Française 6, Paris
Delort, E, 1953 Vases ornés de la Moselle, Nancy
Fölzer, E, 1913 Die Bilderschüsseln der Ostgallischen Sigillata-Manufakturen, Römische Keramik in Trier 1, Bonn
Lutz, M, 1970 L’atelier de Saturninus et de Satto à Mittelbronn, Gallia Supplément 22
Lutz, M, 1977 La sigillée de Boucheporn (Moselle), Gallia Supplément 32
See the related record on the Atlas of Roman Pottery on the Potsherd website
Plate 24: Fresh sherd break of CHF SA (width of field 24 mm)
Plate 24.1: Photomicrograph of CHF SA (XPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
Plate 24.2: Photomicrograph of CHF SA (PPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
Four samples
This fabric is pink or pink-brown (10R 6/8), sometimes more brown (near 2.5Y 6/6). Surfaces are usually red-brown (10R 5/8), occasionally misfired to brown (5YR 4/3), with a smooth semi-lustrous slip. Sherds are hard with a smooth fracture.
The inclusions are well sorted and do not exceed 0.2mm. Limestone dominates as abundant or common, with silver mica common or sparse. Occasional red iron-rich grains also occur.
An isotropic micaceous matrix, with common muscovite and rare brown mica, is visible. Abundant rounded limestone is present, normally to c 0.1mm but with examples up to 0.2mm; in the same size range is sparse angular quartz and rare opaques. Also present are rare feldspar, siltstone and aggregate rock.
Les Musées de la Ville de Strasbourg (France)
Circonscription des Antiquités Historiques d’Alsace, Strasbourg (France); Musée Archéologique de Strasbourg (France)
Bémont, C, & Jacob, J-P (eds), 1986 La terre sigillée gallo-romaine. Lieux de production du Haut Empire: implantations, produits, relations, Documents d’Archéologie Française 6, Paris
Forrer, R, 1911 Die römischen Terrasigillata-Töpfereien von Heiligenberg-Dinsheim und Ittenweiler im Elsass, Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft für Erhaltung der geschichtlichen Denkmäler in Elsass 23, 528–768, Strasbourg
See the related record on the Atlas of Roman Pottery on the Potsherd website
Plate 25: Fresh sherd break of HGB SA (width of field 24 mm)
Plate 25.1: Photomicrograph of HGB SA (XPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
Four samples
Our samples are red-brown (10R 5/8) with slightly darker (10R 4/8) lustrous slip. They are hard with a smooth fracture and smooth, often soapy feel.
A wide range of variation can be seen in the La Madeleine products, but all are fine (<0.1mm) with generally well-sorted inclusions. Sherds stamped by Festus and Sabellus are dominated by abundant limestone, occasionally up to 0.2mm, with sparse fine silver mica, black iron-rich grains (0.1–0.2mm) and occasional angular fragments of clay pellets up to 0.7mm. In the sherd stamped by Montanus (Plate 26), quartz is the dominant inclusion (occasionally to 0.2mm), but limestone – including some microfossils – is common (0.1–0.2mm), while fine mica (mostly silver but some gold) and red-brown iron-rich grains (0.2–0.5mm) are sparse. In the sherd stamped by Amabilis all inclusions are sparse and normally <0.1mm: black and sometimes red iron-rich grains, silver mica, quartz (occasionally to 0.2mm), and red clay pellets (to 1.2mm) can be identified.
The sectioned sherd belongs to that stamped by Montanus. It is an isotropic calcareous clay with silt-sized inclusions, comprising common to abundant rounded limestone, less quartz and irregular opaques. The clay is slightly micaceous with both muscovite and brown mica identified. Within this range of inclusions, rare larger grains measuring 0.1–0.5mm are present. No microfossils are visible in thin section, but the slide contains numerous voids.
Amabilis, Festus, Montanus, Sabellus
Department of Prehistoric & Romano-British Antiquities, The British Museum
Colchester Archaeological Trust (small but representative group); Museum of London (published in Bemmann 1984–5); South Shields Roman Fort Museum (published in Dore & Gillam 1979); Musée Lorrain, Nancy (France)
Bemmann, H, 1984–5 Eine neue Ware des Virtus von La Madeleine, Saalburg Jahrbuch 40–1, 5–27
Bémont, C, & Jacob, J-P (eds), 1986 La terre sigillée gallo-romaine. Lieux de production du Haut Empire: implantations, produits, relations, Documents d’Archéologie Française 6, Paris
Dore, J, & Gillam, J P, 1979 The Roman fort at South Shields, excavations 1875–1975, Soc Antiq Newcastle upon Tyne Monogr 1
Haalebos, J-K, 1977 Zwammerdam – Nigrum Pullum, Cingula 3, Amsterdam
Ricken, H, 1934a Die Bilderschüsseln der Kastelle Saalburg und Zugmantel, Saalburg Jahrbuch 8, 130–82
Wild, F, 1975 Samian ware, in Birrens (Blatobulgium) (A S Robertson), 170–1
See the related record on the Atlas of Roman Pottery on the Potsherd website
Plate 26: Fresh sherd break of MAD SA (width of field 24 mm)
Plate 26.1: Photomicrograph of MAD SA (XPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
Four samples
Sherds in this fabric are frequently orange-brown (2.5YR 5/8), although they can also be pale dull pink (nearest value 10R 6/8, estimated value 10R 7/8 or paler). Surfaces are dark red-brown (10R 4/8) and smooth, with a reasonable quality slip, which though often pimply is lustrous in the best of examples. There are often finger marks visible in the slip around the footring. The fabric is hard with a smooth fracture.
The appearance of the fabric in the break varies. Typically it is a mixture of well-sorted inclusions (0.1–0.2mm), comprising black iron-rich grains, limestone, quartz and mica. Either iron-rich grains, limestone or mica may dominate (as common), while the remaining inclusions are sparse. Quartz grains are only occasionally visible and may occur up to 0.4mm. Less often the fabric is dominated by abundant well-sorted limestone (<0.2mm), with other inclusions barely present or absent, when it then resembles the Blickweiler fabric.
An isotropic matrix is visible in thin section, containing common muscovite and brown mica, common silt-sized limestone, sparse quartz and rare opaques. Other inclusions are larger quartz, some polycrystalline, or rare feldspar, measuring 0.1–0.2mm. Some poorly mixed clay fragments are visible in thin section as pellets, up to 0.4mm.
Dagodubnus, Florentinus, Perpetus, Quartinus
Museum of London
Colchester Archaeological Trust (small but representative group); Museum of London (including Shadwell); Historisches Museum der Pfalz, Speyer (Germany)
Bernhard, H, 1981 Zur Diskussion um die Chronologie Rheinzaberner Relieftöpfer, Germania 59, 79–93
Bird, J, 1986 Samian wares, in The Roman quay at St Magnus House, London. Excavations at New Fresh Wharf, Lower Thames Street, London 1974–78 (L Miller, J Schofield & M Rhodes), London Middlesex Archaeol Soc Spec Pap 8, 139–85
Bird, J, 1995b 3rd-century samian ware in Britain, J Roman Pottery Stud 6, 1–14
Bittner, F-K, 1986 Zur Fortsetzung der Diskussion um die Chronologie der Rheinzaberner Relieftöpfer, Bayerische Vorgeschichtsblätter 51, 233–359
Ludowici, W, & Ricken, H (eds), 1948 Die Bilderschüsseln der römischen Töpfer von Rheinzabern, Speyer
Oswald, F, & Pryce, T Davies, 1920 Introduction to the study of terra sigillata
Ricken, H, & Fischer, C (eds), 1963 Die Bilderschüsseln der römischen Töpfer von Rheinzabern. Textband mit Typenbildern, Materialien zur römanisch-germanischen Keramik 7, Bonn
Simon, H-G, & Kohler, H-J, 1992 Ein Geschirrdepot des 3. Jahrhunderts Grabungen im Lagerdorf des Kastells Langenhain, Materialien zur römanisch-germanischen Keramik 11, Bonn
Webster, P V, with contributions by Dannell, G B, 1996 Roman samian pottery in Britain, Practical handbook in archaeology 13
See the related record on the Atlas of Roman Pottery on the Potsherd website
Plate 27: Fresh sherd break of RHZ SA (width of field 24 mm)
Plate 27.1: Photomicrograph of RHZ SA (XPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
Two samples
There is considerable variation in both fabric and slip colour for this fabric. Our two samples range between red-brown (2.5YR 5/8) with redder (10R 5/8) surfaces, and orange-brown (2.5YR 6/8) with a surface of similar colour. The slip is good quality and slightly lustrous, although it can be patchy. Sherds are hard with smooth surfaces and a smooth fracture.
In this fabric inclusions are well sorted, measuring <0.2mm. Red-brown, grey and black iron-rich grains, fine silver mica and quartz are all common. Superficially the fabric is similar to samian produced at Colchester, but they can be distinguished from each other chemically (Storey et al 1989).
The sectioned sample has a slightly micaceous (mostly muscovite with rare brown mica) clay with common silt-sized quartz and occasional larger quartz, opaques and clay-rich opaques to c 0.1mm. Rare inclusions comprise siltstone and fine-grained sandstone, to 0.4mm.
Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn (Germany)
Colchester Museums; Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn (Germany); Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz (Germany)
Fischer, C, 1969 Die Terra Sigillata Manufaktur von Sinzig am Rhein, Rheinische Ausgrabungen 5, Düsseldorf
Storey, J M V, Symonds, R P, Hart, F A, Smith, D M, & Walsh, J N, 1989 A chemical investigation of ‘Colchester’ samian by means of inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry, J Roman Pottery Stud 2, 33–43
See the related record on the Atlas of Roman Pottery on the Potsherd website
Plate 28: Fresh sherd break of SIN SA (width of field 24 mm)
Plate 28.1: Photomicrograph of SIN SA (XPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
Two samples
The range of fabric colours on these samples is similar to those from Rheinzabern. Frequently the break is orange-brown (2.5YR 5/8), but it can also be a pale, dull pink-brown (nearest value 10R 6/6, estimated values 10R 7/6–7/8, 10R 8/8) with red-brown (10R 5/8) surfaces. A good quality lustrous slip provides a smooth surface. Sherds are hard with a smooth fracture.
The fabric break is dominated by abundant ill-sorted limestone (mostly <0.1mm, but ranging to 0.5mm). Other inclusions are common black iron-rich grains in a similar size range, and sparse fine silver mica. Because of the even distribution of the larger inclusions, the photographed break (Plate 29) appears well sorted.
A micaceous clay, with muscovite and less brown mica, is visible in thin section. Abundant limestone and common quartz (frequently to 0.1mm) are present, as are rare ill-sorted larger inclusions to c 0.2mm and limestone to 1.0mm. Rare opaques, micaceous siltstone and feldspar can also be identified.
Arilira, Iullenus
Museum of London
Colchester Archaeological Trust (small but representative group); Museum of London (St Magnus and Shadwell material); Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Trier (Germany)
Bird, J, 1986 Samian wares, in The Roman quay at St Magnus House, London. Excavations at New Fresh Wharf, Lower Thames Street, London 1974–78 (L Miller, J Schofield & M Rhodes), London Middlesex Archaeol Soc Spec Pap 8, 139–85
Bird, J, 1995b 3rd-century samian ware in Britain, J Roman Pottery Stud 6, 1–14
Fölzer, E, 1913 Die Bilderschüsseln der Ostgallischen Sigillata-Manufakturen, Römische Keramik in Trier 1, Bonn
Gard, L, 1937 Reliefsigillata des 3 und 4. Jahrhunderts aus den Werkstatten von Trier, Unpublished dissertation, University of Tübingen
Huld-Zetsche, I, 1971 Zum Forschungsstand über Trierer Reliefsigillaten, Trierer Zeitschrift 34, 233–45
Huld-Zetsche, I, 1972 Trierer Reliefsigillata Werkstatt 1, Materialen zur römanisch-germanischen Keramik 9, Bonn
Huld-Zetsche, I, 1993 Trierer Reliefsigillata Werkstatt 2, Materialen zur römanisch-germanishcen Keramik 12, Bonn
Oswald, F, & Pryce, T Davies, 1920 Introduction to the study of terra sigillata
Simon, H-G, & Kohler, H-J, 1992 Ein Geschirrdepot des 3. Jahrhunderts Grabungen im Lagerdorf des Kastells Langenhain, Materialien zur römanisch-germanischen Keramik 11, Bonn
See the related record on the Atlas of Roman Pottery on the Potsherd website
Plate 29: Fresh sherd break of TRI SA (width of field 24 mm)
Plate 29.1: Photomicrograph of TRI SA (XPL) (width of field 1.74 mm)
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