b'manufactured in Gaul (France) and imported here. The portion of pottery I showed was from an The style and embossed decoration on the pieceexceptionally large amphora, almost industrial in of pottery found by Kate (shown above) indicatesdimensions and the view of the archaeologists who that this was probably produced by a potter namedexamined this item was that it would certainly have Doeccus who operated from Lezoux in Gaul frombeen housed at some fairly large villa in the area, 165-200 AD. being far too substantial for normal domestic use.Although attempts were made to manufactureHumberwareOne of the commonest types of this style of pottery in our country it was neverpottery to be found in our area, dating from around successful and most recorded finds of Romano- the middle ages.It is quite distinctive having an British manufacture have been confined to the areaunmistakable olive green glaze and unlike the fine around Colchester, Essex.It is interesting to notesamianware and mortaria is of a coarse heavy that a fragment of a mould for this type of potteryconsistency.Other than the handles, which often was discovered in York but no evidence exists thathave a series of grooves along their length, they are this was ever used on a commercial basis.It seemsgenerally lacking in any sophisticated embellishment; most likely that a local pottery manufacturer possiblythese handles do seem to survive in impressive purchased this item, with the intention of taking thequantities, obviously being constructed in a more localsamian pottery market by storm and perhapssubstantial manner than the body of the vessels.like many of our own good intentions it appears neverAs the name suggests this particular pottery to have been followed through. was produced in and around East Yorkshire and Samianware pottery was in vogue here fromNorth Lincolnshire, and in view of the lack of high about 45-250 AD when its popularity appears to havetransportation costs would most likely to have been waned and the fine ware market turned to indigenousrelatively cheap, this factor probably accounting for its pottery often paint-decorated and issuing mainly fromobvious popularity with the residents hereabouts.the Oxfordshire and Nene Valley areas.Oyster shellsThese items are one sure sign MortariaA shallow bowl approximately 15inchesof detecting a site of early occupation, for shell (38 cms) in diameter, generally manufactured of afish and particularly oysters were a most popular sandy coloured pottery with its strong inner wallsdelicacy not only in Roman Britain but right through gritted to allow for the easy grinding of food, athe Viking period.With Bishop Wilton being situated common practice throughout Roman Britain.Thea considerable distance from the river estuaries in mortaria had what I suppose we today would callwhich these items were farmed, it is amazing that an ergonomically designed rim which enabled theit is still possible to find so much evidence of their user to grasp the bowl firmly and comfortably whenconsumption.In those days of difficult transportation in use and allow for a secure hold when lifting.Theand an inferior road system it is quite remarkable that majority of these bowls were manufactured in Britaintraders would be capable of shipping oysters from at Hartshill in Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and the Neneriverbed to local tables before the fish suffered the Valley, although up to 70 AD they were imported fromrapid deterioration to which it is subject.Germany and Belgium.Today the name is retained inSo the next time you are out walking the dog keep our modern language as in mortar and pestle and theyour eyes on the ground and see just what interesting ancient grinding process has undergone somethingfinds you may come across, but please do make a of a renaissance due to the current fascination with allnote of where they were discovered.Perhaps you things culinary. will even bring them to some future meeting enabling Amphorae - ceramic packaging for perishableus all to learn a little more about our predecessors.commodities Remember these small fragments are not just pieces AmphoraeThe earliest form of universalof broken pottery or kitchen waste; they are the packaging designed for the long distanceclues ancient generations have left behind them to transportation of perishable commodities. inform us of their daily lives.They skilfully paint vivid Manufactured by potters in Spain, Italy, Gaul andpictures not only of their homes and eating habits, North Africa, amphorae were generally of circular orbut also local, national and international trade, plus of tapering design and lacking a flat base to facilitatecourse providing us with a glimpse of the little luxuries easy storage within the hold of a ship.They alwaysavailable to Bishop Wilton residents in those far-off possessed a wide neck and substantial handles indays.order to assist in the loading and manoeuvrability of these bulky items and were usually sealed with either a wooden or clay bung.The Romans used these containers to ship olive oil, fish-based foods and sauces from Spain, wine from Gaul and Italy, also oliveReference:Guy de la Bedoyere: The Finds of oil from North Africa. Roman Britain (Batsford, 1989)18 BULLETIN 2'