Roman pottery
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This fragment of Roman pottery sparkles with glittering mica inclusions, and has a variety of other inclusions in the clay, making it feel rough to the touch.
It has been identified by Kurt Adams (Finds Liaison Officer at Bristol Museum) as Roman grey ware and, although it's not easy dating such a small (27x38mm) piece, he estimates it's from the first half of the Roman period. As such, the vessel could easily pre-date Brislington's Roman villa (built around the year 270) by a century or more.
The archaeological excavations at Brislington Meadows (where this was found, lying on top of one of the backfilled trenches), in November 2021 found evidence of agricultural activity dating to the Roman period, and also Roman pottery including more grey ware and Samian sherds, both associated with cooking and dining. Samian wares are fine but aren't rare although they are among the more high status pottery types, used at table to add a little elegance and prestige to every occasion.
Material: ceramic
Period: Romano-British
Find spot: ST62557105, Brislington Meadows.
Text written by Ken Taylor (2022)
Photographer: Ken Taylor (2022)
Acquisition number: 220228a2