Roman amphorae in the Near East : a study of the distribution of Spanish, North African, and local types -

Abstract

Roman amphorae, transport vessels used to distribute food products across the Mediterranean, have long been examined as representations of Roman trade networks. Olive oil, wine, and fish sauce were produced and packaged in North Africa and Spain and subsequently shipped to a number of destinations. These distribution networks were quite extensive, connecting Spain and North Africa to Italy, Britain, northern Gaul, and the Near East. This work examines the distribution of Spanish and North African amphorae in the Near East in comparison with the Beirut type as well as other Near Eastern types, roughly in the period between 50 BCE and 350 CE. The goal is to see if Spanish vessels, North African types, and the Beirut amphorae diffuse inland or if the distribution is limited to the coast. The author goes on to propose an explanation for the amphora assemblage and characterize the nature of the distributions based on the variety of types observed and the material transported.