Fragment of samian ware tableware

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This pottery sherd from expensive Roman tableware was found at a native broch settlement at Keiss in Caithness. It was a valuable Roman object, probably passed from one native chief to another, ending up miles from the Roman frontier.

The surface of the sherd has been worn smooth, perhaps from later reuse as a polisher.

Powerful local chieftains controlled contact with the Romans, keeping most of the Roman objects and passing some onto their followers. The Roman objects provided valuable raw materials, and were often reused for other purposes.

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-525-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.GA 499
• Date: 140 - 300 AD
  Between 140 and 300 AD
  
• Material: Samian, red
  Pottery / sherd
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Pottery / sherd
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Caithness, Keiss
  
• Event:
• Description: Sherd of red Samian ware, from Keiss, Caithness, 140 - 300 AD
  
• References:
• Translations:
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