Ancient Roman coarse ware in the Regio X and beyond: an archaeological approach to distribution and trade

A groundbreaking study reveals that ancient Roman coarse ware, long overlooked by archaeologists, serves as a powerful tool for reconstructing complex economic dynamics. Focusing on the Roman colony of Aquileia and its broader region (Regio X Italica), the research demonstrates that these vessels were primarily traded for their contents—likely perishable foodstuffs—rather than the pottery itself. By analyzing coarse ware from the underwater archaeological site Stella 1, along with comparative data from Northern Italy, the study identified preferential trade routes, including both terrestrial roads and inland waterways. This challenges the traditional view that Aquileia was the sole centralizing node for distribution, showing instead that peripheral areas played significant roles in local and long-distance trade. The findings highlight coarse ware's potential to provide insights into ancient economic systems, trade networks, and the circulation of perishable goods, which are rarely preserved in archaeological records.

Ardis, C. (2019). Ancient Roman coarse ware in the Regio X and beyond: an archaeological approach to distribution and trade. Scuola IMT Alti Studi di Lucca. https://doi.org/10.13118/ARDIS-CARLA_PHD2019