Collections Online
Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
Advanced Search
Roman samian bowl, decorated
Sherds from a decorated bowl (form 29). The bowl has a scroll in the upper zone, with stirrup-leaves, a bird on a tendril and a bud-cluster. The lower zone has panels with corner spindles and eagles in chevron medallions, alternating with saltires containing triple poppy heads, crouching dogs and (sometimes) small birds. The double, and sometimes triple, borders and the diagonals of the saltires are beaded. The date is circa AD 70-85.
The samian recovered from the excavations on the British Telecom site, though not great in quantity, is of particular interest since it includes a substantial group of South Gaulish decorated ware from La Graufesenque, which belongs to the early occupation of the fortress. When reassembled, some of these bowls are largely complete, though the sherds have been widely scattered and often turned up in later levels. Some show evidence of considerable wear, including D1, the bowl that is stylistically the earliest found. This suggests that it had been used elsewhere before being brought to the fortress.
bowl
Collection Area
Item Number
Find Information
Site Name: British Telecom Site, Caerleon
Notes: Excavation conducted on land immediately to the east of the telephone exchange on Museum Street.