Grinding bowl

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This ceramic grinding bowl, also known as a mortarium, was found during excavations at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire. It was probably made locally between 80 and 180 AD.

The grinding bowl has a stamp reading 'MF' which indicates the manufacturer.

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: 000-100-037-438-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FRA 1429
• Date: Between 80 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Ceramic, reddish-brown; stamped
  Pottery / mortarium
  
• Dimensions: 11.00" D
  
• What: Pottery / mortarium
  
• Subject:
• Who: Newstead Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Melrose, Newstead
  
• Event:
• Description: Mortarium of reddish-brown ware, stamped to indicate manufacturer, from Newstead
  
• References:
  • Curle, J. A Roman frontier post and its people: the fort of Newstead. Glasgow: MacLehose, 1911, Pl. L, 5. 
• Translations:
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