Day 92. Roman Pottery

A large quantity of pottery shards dating to the Roman period have been found in a field near Preston – possibly relics of the first inhabitants of the area. The site was likely a modest-sized farmstead.

Fine quality pottery was a hallmark of the Roman culture. Tableware, amphorae or storage vessels for foodstuffs and wine, and other wares spread across the Roman Empire with the conquerors. The Iron Age Britons had the skill to make pottery, but the finer craftsmanship of the Romans soon influenced British potters, and native Britons began to favour Roman-made or imported wares.

The Fosse Way is a major Roman road passing a few miles from Preston, with several trading posts along its length, and probably the hub of communication between the settlement and the wider community. Pottery and other goods most likely arrived here via this route.

The majority of pottery found in Preston is Severn Valley Ware, produced in the nearby Severn Valley and used across west Britain from the 2^nd - 4^th centuries. Grey Ware, named for its colour, was commonly used domestic ware and several pieces have also been found in Preston.

 

Two shards of Severn Valley Ware – the base of a pot and a rim. 2^nd - 4^th century.

 

A shard of Grey Ware. The marks made by the potter's wheel can be seen. 2^nd - 4^th century.

Black Burnished Ware, once a wide, shallow container. This was a commonly found coarse ware, used for basic domestic purposes, and was often hand-formed rather than wheeled.

 

Shards of Samian Ware

A few pieces of Samian Ware have also been found in Preston. This was a fine, painted tableware, exported from Italy and later Gaul (modern France) in large quantities. Only the wealthiest people owned Samian Ware, although the less well-off could aspire to own one or two pieces.

Following the decline of the Roman Empire in the 4^th century, the art of the potter largely disappeared. Pottery was still produced, but was of much inferior quality to that previously known. It would be over a thousand years before fine pottery tableware was again found on Britain's tables.