Pottery sherd

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This sherd of Roman samian ware pottery was found at Traprain Law in East Lothian. A quantity of Roman material was found at the native hillfort of Traprain Law, though whether it was obtained as trade, loot, tribute payments or bribes is unclear.

The sherd is from the base of a vessel. It has been stamped with the manufacturer's name 'Gresimi' and has been etched with the name 'ANTONINVS', presumably its Roman owner.

Although many Roman soldiers could read and write to some extent, and marked their names on their belongings, the native population did not adopt literacy, relying instead on oral tradition and word-of-mouth contacts.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-039-568-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GV 802
• Date: Between 120 and 150 AD
  
• Material: Samian ware; triangular; inscribed with maker's mark and graffiti
  Pottery / vessel / basal fragment
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Pottery / vessel / basal fragment
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, East Lothian, Traprain Law
  
• Event:
• Description: Triangular basal fragment of a Samian vessel, inscribed with maker's mark 'Gresimi' and graffiti, from Traprain Law
  
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