Republican amphorae in the Auvergne central France.

Abstract

This thesis studies Republican amphoraefrom late Iron age (c. 200-1 BC) sites from the Auvergne (central France). The morphology, dating and contents of Greco-Italic, Dressel 1 and Lamboglia 2 amphorae, and the morphology of Republican amphoraefrom Mediterranean shipwrecks are reviewed. The morphology of 28 Republican amphorae assemblages from the Auvergne are described in detail and compared with 44 assemblages from Western Europe. A detailed programme of fabric analysis,using thin-sectioning, of 408 rim sherds,has created96 fabric groups,many of which have been assigned to specific kilns. The distribution of Republican amphorae in the Auvergne and for the whole of France is studied and discussed. The role of amphorae in socio-economic change,the accessto amphorae, the deposition of amphorae and the importation of other Mediterranean imports (Campanian wares,mortaria andpate claires) in the Auvergne is addressed. Assemblages of Republican amphorae stamps from the Auvergne and the rest of Franceare compared by analysing the types of stamps,their placement, stamping rates and their place of origin. The Republican wine trade to the Auvergne started during the second century BC when small numbers of Greco-Italic amphoraewere imported and the large-scale importation of Dressel I amphorae occurred after c.150/140BC. A high proportion of the amphoraecame from the Etrurian kilns of Albinia and Cosa. Republican amphoraewere widely distributed in the Auvergne during the second century BC with 203 findspots and are found in large numbersat several sites.