Antiquity· 2026Q1
Unpacking Roman trade: a quantitative study of amphora circulation in the Western provinces
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
A quantitative analysis of 20 common amphora types from 254 Western Roman province excavations reveals economic trends and shifts in supply and consumption, highlighting the roles of state supply, regionalization, and alternative containers.
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Key points
- Analyzed amphora frequency data from 254 excavations in Western Roman provinces.
- Focused on 20 common amphora types, primarily used for olive oil, garum, and wine.
- Assessed economic trends and temporal shifts in supply and consumption.
- Highlighted the roles of state supply, regionalization, and alternative containers in Roman trade.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Ceramic amphorae provide clues to the movement of foodstuffs within the Roman Empire and can therefore act as a useful proxy for economic productivity. Here, the authors present the results of a large-scale quantitative analysis of amphora frequency data from 254 excavations conducted across the Western Roman provinces. By examining the distribution of 20 of the most common amphora types, which primarily served as olive-oil, garum and wine containers, they assess economic trends and temporal shifts in supply and consumption previously identified through other economic proxies, emphasising the role of state supply, regionalisation and the potential use of alternative containers.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Antiquity, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Archeology (Arts and Humanities)
ArcheologyArts and Humanities