Fragment of an amphora

Add to album

Amphorae are large, distinctive pottery containers used to transport perishable goods over long distances. This mouth of a Roman amphora was found at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It dates from between 80 and 180 AD.

Carved on the lip of the fragment are the letters 'CSA', perhaps the initials of the amphora's owner.

Many mass-produced articles in the Roman world were stamped or inscribed to indicate the makers, contents, dates or ownership, which suggests basic literacy amongst a wide section of the Roman population.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-102-492-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 1439
• Date: 80 - 180 AD
  Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Ceramic: stamped on lip
  Pottery / amphora / portion
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Pottery / amphora / portion
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Amphora mouth with stamp 'CSA' on lip, from the Roman site at Newstead, 80 - 180 AD
  
• References:
  • Curle, James. A Roman frontier post and its people: the Fort of Newstead in the parish of Melrose. Glasgow: Maclehose & Sons, 1911
• Translations:
• Related Records: