Casgliadau Arlein

Conjoining sherds of a large decorated bowl (form 29). The bowl has a bead-lip, rouletted in places and partly grooved. The panelled upper zone shows a dolphin motif, triple bud and a leaf-tip infilling in a scroll. There is a triffid wreath below the central cordon. The lower zone has separated straight gadroons. The bowl also includes a hole for a lead repair. The date is circa AD 65-80.

The samian recovered from the excavations on the British Telecom site, though not great in quantity, is of particular interest since it includes a substantial group of South Gaulish decorated ware from La Graufesenque, which belongs to the early occupation of the fortress. When reassembled, some of these bowls are largely complete, though the sherds have been widely scattered and often turned up in later levels. Some show evidence of considerable wear, including D1, the bowl that is stylistically the earliest found. This suggests that it had been used elsewhere before being brought to the fortress.

bowl