Oxford ware mortaria
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The mortaria was an essential Roman kitchen utensil, the rough gritty inner surface being used to grind or puree foodstuffs (see also Samian Mortaria).
The potters produced high-quality, durable wheel-thrown domestic ware for kitchen and table using the pure white clay of Shotover Hill. The pottery was hard, fairly fine textured and was white or cream or sometimes light brown with a pink core and pale slip; the grinding surface made up of clear and coloured quartz sand. The kilns clustered around the Roman road linking Dorchester-on-Thames and Alchester, near Bicester. Production was from 2nd until late 4th century but distribution to the South West of England did not happen till 4th century. With the decline of Roman occupation the potteries ceased production in the early 5th century.
Found at Brislington Roman villa site during the development of what is now Winchester Road in December 1899. The villa is contemporary with several others in the region, built about AD 270 as a working farm with workshops until destroyed by fire about AD 370.
Photographs exhibited with kind permission of Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, which has this in its collection (reference number Fb6936).
Material: ceramic
Period: Romano-British
Find spot: Winchester Road, Brislington. ST 616709
Exhibit contributed by Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Text written by Dawn Witherspoon, 2012
Photographer: Ken Taylor
Acquisition number: 120316c2