TERRA SIGILLATA IN THE ROMAN FORTS OF DACIA

Dan Isac

It is generally accepted that terra sigillata pottery came into Dacia and other territories along with the Roman soldiers of the conquering army. In fact, the main factor involved in the circulation of such category of pottery were not the soldiers, but traders. Still, shortly after the conquest of Dacia (AD 106) the soldiers became the main consumers of such luxurious pottery.

The conquest of Dacia produced almost instantly the appearance of foreign trade, which offered to the soldiers and the colonists a variety of products from Italy, Gaul, Rheinzabern, Noricum, Pannonia and Moesia. In both central (Superior/Apulensis, Porolissensis) and southern (Inferior/Malvensis) Dacia the terra sigillata is almost exactly chronologically framed in the period when Dacia was a Roman province (AD 106-275). Thus, the military element determined the beginning of a massive wave of importation of terra sigillata right from the first moments when military units were garrisoned in the forts in Dacia. These places became centers for selling luxury products brought into the province by specialized traders. Large quantity of the terra sigillata manufactured in Dacia is also attested inside the forts. At the same time, the presence of this kind of pottery was also found in the few vici excavated scientifically (Caseiu, Porolissum). A higher proportion of this pottery is noted in the central Dacia compared with the southern part of the province. The explanation could be the state of research.

This poster also presents a map with the forts from Dacia, in which terra sigillata was found. For each site the pottery products are listed, as well as their center of manufacture and the decoration styles. Pottery drawings are placed beside the map [Dacia Porolissensis (DP), Dacia Superior (DS), Dacia Inferior (DI)].

1. Bologa (DP) -Central Gaul , Eastern Gaul, Rheinzabern
2. Borosneu Mare (DI) -Southern Gaul
3. Bretcu (Angustia)(DI) -Central Gaul
4. Buciumi (DP) -Central Gaul , Westerndorf
5. Caseiu (Samum) (DP) -Southern Gaul, Central Gaul, Rheinzabern, Westerndorf
6. Feldioara (DS) - Southern Gaul, Central Gaul
7. Gherla (DP) - Central Gaul , Eastern Gaul
8. Gilau (DP) - Central Gaul, Eastern Gaul, Rheinzabern, Dacian
9. Ilisua (DP) - Central Gaul, Rheinzabern, Dacian
10. Inlaceni (DS) - Dacian
11. Jupa (Tibiscum) - Central Gaul, Eastern Gaul, Rheinzabern , Westerndorf, Dacian
12. Mehadia (DS) - Central Gaul
13. Moigrad (Porolissum) - Southern Gaul, Central Gaul, Eastern Gaul, Rheinzabern, Dacian
14. Orheiul Bistritei (DP) - Central Gaul
15. Râsnov (DI) - Central Gaul
16. Slaveni (DI) - Southern Gaul, Central Gaul, Rheinzabern, Westerndorf, Dacian
17. Turda (Potaissa) (DP)- Central Gaul, Rheinzabern, Westerndorf, Dacian
18. Turnu Severin (Drobeta) (DS) - Italia, Westerndorf
19. Vetel (Micia) (DS) - Southern Gaul, Central Gaul, Eastern Gaul, Rheinzabern, Dacian

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