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

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.