Gallo-Belgic fine wares : a study in characterisation, distribution and development during the first centuries B.C. and A.D.

Abstract

This thesis presents the results of a reconsideration of the Gallo-Belgic pottery industry through the application of typological and petrological analyses. Special attention is given to gaining an understanding of the distribution of the industry's products through the late 1st century B.C. into the 1st century A.D. in both Britain and the Continent. Gallo-Belgic wares are defined here as the fine ware vessels originating from within the province of Gallia Belgica during the period c. 20 B.C. to A.D. 70. Particular emphasis is paid to the two classes of red and black tablewares known as terra rubra and terra nigra. These vessels are among the earliest of the Roman fine wares to be imported into Britain and they appear to have been produced by specialist potters drawing on a pool of skills and traditions much of which can be traced back to the Italian Arretine industry. Previous work on the Gallo-Belgic industry has largely concerned itself only with those aspects directly related to the pottery as a cultural and chronological indicator; the present work tries also to exploit the potential of the pottery as an index of exchange, status differentiation and technological competence during the early Roman period. The absence of a distinctive mineral assemblage has necessitated the refinement of textural analysis as a tool for discriminating fabrics for the isolation of potential production centres. The general location of the sources largely explains the observable distribution of products. An analysis of the findspots in Britain shows how in the pre-Roman period the distribution was restricted to the south, possibly as a result of elite exchange, while later it became much more extensive as the Roman army provided the mechanism by which the vessels were dispersed. It is concluded that the prevailing economic and political climate in both Britain and Gaul was important in determining the nature and extent of the distribution of GalloBelgic wares. The data base of findspots is presented as a gazetteer covering both Britain and the Continent. A supplementary corpus of known potters' stamps is also included.

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