Production centres and trade relations in the Early Empire.

The ARCEA Project Analysis of the amphorae production from the

Tarraconensis central coast
Daniel Mateo Corredor Juan Francisco Álvarez Tortosa Rubén Santana Onrubia Jaime Molina Vidal
Department of Prehistory, Archaeology, Ancient History, Greek and Latin. University of Alicante

Introduction Survey, excavation and analysis of La Rana

Over the last years, the scientific community has shown a great interest To characterize its structures,
in the studies focused on the production and trade of Roman amphorae in the ceramic production and
the Iberian Peninsula. However, the advances in the knowledge of Hispanic the stratigraphic sequence,
amphorae productions have been uneven, being the Tarraconensis northern we have begun the integral
coast and Baetica the best-known areas. On the contrary, amphorae analysis of the Roman site of
production of the Tarraconensis central coast is less known, despite the fact La Rana (Gata de Gorgos,
that these containers would be traded in the western empire, as shown by Alicante, Spain), where the
classic authors´ references such as Juvenal and Fronto and the amphora surface materials indicated
epigraphy findings. the existence of a pottery
production centre dated
around the 2nd and 3rd c.
AD. (Bolufer, Banyos 1995).
Location map Map with GPR result
One of the first actions of the project has been a geophysical survey with
a StreamX georadar, in collaboration with a team led by Dr L. Lagóstena
Barrios (University of Cádiz). This action has allowed to know the potential of
the site and to improve the planning of the archaeological excavation tasks.
In 2018, under the direction of J. Bolufer, J. Molina and D. Mateo the first
excavation campaign has been carried out (with the support of Gata City
Council, Museum of Xàbia and University of Alicante). Among other aspects,
Location of amphorae kilns (Mateo 2018). Map with the amphorae dispersion. this intervention has helped us to confirm the existence of ceramic production
at the site. We registered oven discards that come to testify, not only the
For this reason, a research program has been started which intends to elaboration of the Roman amphorae types Gauloise 4 and Almadrava IV (and
improve the knowledge of this production and its distribution. The ARCEA maybe Dressel 2-4), but also of construction materials and common ware. The
project is mainly based on three action areas. analysis of this campaign and new excavations in the coming years will allow
us to enhance the knowledge of this Roman figlina and its productions.

Amphora stamps from the territorium of Saguntum (left) and Dianium (right)

Pictures and drawings of the different amphorae types from La Rana

The Mariposa E shipwreck cargo (Alghero)

A key element to assess the scope of the exports is the analysis of the Archaeometric characterization and typological revision
Mariposa E wreck, the main first evidence of the commercialization in transit
of the wine produced on the central Tarraconensis coast. This shipwreck, The last action is the analysis of the
excavated in the 90s (Gavini 2013), is located in Alghero, in the northwest of amphorae material from different pottery kilns
Sardinia (Italy). of the central Tarraconensis coast. It will
consist of the morphological study that allows
It presents a main cargo formed by Dressel 2-4 amphorae and an
to detail its evolution, together with the
interesting epigraphic collection of graffiti, tituli picti and MPM stamps, which
characterization of the ceramic fabrics.
allowed us to hypothesize its Saguntum origin (Mateo, Molina 2016). Thus,
in December of 2017, we proceeded to the analysis of the cargo placed in The ceramic fabric analysis will be, first of all,
the Alghero Museum and Sassari, confirming its origin in the current macroscopic, obtaining samples for each of
Valencian coast. the fabrics identified. Along with a
macroscopic photograph each sample will be
Macrophotographs and thin section subjected to a multidisciplinary study using X-
ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence
(XRF) and thin section.
A catalogue of ceramic fabrics from the main
amphorae production areas of the central
coast of Tarraconensis will be generated, a
tool that will allow to improve its identification
in consumptions contexts, helping to detect
Main types of Dianium (Gisbert 1999) the real scope of their exports.

Cargo of the wreck displayed in the Alghero Museum 3D model of a Dressel 2-4 amphora
Among the specific aims of our study, still in process, are the following:
• Characterize the amphorae, morphologically and typologically, using
also digital photogrammetry techniques.
• Specify the areas of origin of the amphorae through archaeometric
analysis.
• Carry out a complete analysis of the amphorae epigraphy.
• Refine the time frame of the wreck reviewing the rest of the materials.
• Analyse the possible route of the shipwreck and its trade dynamics.
References
Bolufer, J. y Banyos, I. 1995: “Un nuevo taller de ánforas del territorio de Dianium (La Rana/Gata, Marina Alta,
País Valencià”, XXI Congreso Nacional de Arqueología, Zaragoza, 1043-1056.
Gavini, V. 2013: Il relitto “E” del Mariposa (Alghero), Erentzias 1, 235-244.
Gisbert, J. A. 1999: “Àmfores i vi al territorium de Dianium (Dénia): Dades per a la sistematització de la
producció amforal al País Valencià”, El Vi a l'antiguitat: economia, producció i comerç al Mediterrani occidental,
Badalona, 383-417.
Mateo, D. 2018: La producción de ánforas en el área costera central de la Tarraconense. Revista Ex Officina
Hispana-Cuadernos de la SECAH 3.
Mateo, D., Molina, J. 2016: “Dressel 2-4 (Tarraconensis central coastal area)”, Amphorae ex Hispania. Paisajes
de producción y consumo (http://amphorae.icac.cat/amphora/dressel-2-4-tarraconensis-central-coastal-area).

The Arcea Project (GRE16-03) is funded by the University of Alicante

Contact: daniel.mateo@ua.es
Some Dressel 2-4 fragments with epigraphy