Bowl (detail)

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This is a detail of a shallow samian ware bowl found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. The bowl was imported from Roman Gaul sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

This picture shows the stamp at the bottom of the inside of the bowl. The stamp reads 'AVITUSF', indicating that the bowl was made by Avitus. A number of samian ware vessels with his stamp were imported to Newstead.

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

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-391-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 1343
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Samian ware; round; saucer-like; stamped
  Pottery / platter
  
• Dimensions: 7.00" D
  
• What: Pottery / platter
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Platter of Samian ware, stamped to indicate manufacturer, from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, pp 226-9, 231. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: