Work

Unpacking Roman trade: a quantitative study of amphora circulation in the Western provinces

Year: 2026

Type: article

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.

Source: Antiquity

DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2026.10429

Authors: Cèsar Carreras, Tom Brughmans, Pau de Soto Cañamares, Daniel Blumenkranz

Institutions: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Aarhus University

Language: English

Topic: Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550

Funders: National Research Foundation, Danmarks Grundforskningsfond