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Pottery in the Roman Period
Samian ware (Terra Sigillata)
Mould made fine pottery. The standard fine table ware throughout the Roman world in the early Empire is known as Samian ware (also called terra sigillata). There are already forerunners (Megarian bowls) produced in the East, most probably first manufactured at Pergamun (mid second century BC). The so-called Eastern Sigillata ware started a little later, shortly after 100 BC.
(click on the images for more information and larger pictures)
The Megarian bowls were the Greek precursors of the
later Roman terra sigillata. The vessels are rare and only a few have
been found in Egypt.
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In the early years of the reign of Augustus, large
scale production of Samian ware was started in Arretium (Arezzo). The
products of these workshops are of the highest quality, maybe from moulds
created by master artists. Samian ware produced in Arretium was traded
to Egypt, but not the products of the Gallic workshops. Around AD 60
Arretium lost its importance as production centre for Samian ware, when
workshops in Gaul became important.
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Samian ware seems not very widespread in Egypt in the Early Roman Imperial Period. However, in the later Roman Empire it became common. There are four main production centres, providing Egypt with this kind of table ware:
Other (locally produced) mould made pottery
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