Ancient ceramics

In Mâcon, potteries discovered include local productions and imports. The town’s potters made vases of common grey ceramic that were used for cookery (pots, dishes, casseroles and kettles). Vessels made with light-coloured common ceramic (jugs, baby’s bottles, etc.) came from the Chalonnaise region.

Tableware is represented in particular by terra sigillata. This ceramic with a red gloss came from large-scale production centres located in southern or central Gaul. Plates, dishes and bowls large and small form a set comparable to a dinner service, as shown by excavations of the necropolis.

What is ceramology ?

During excavations, many ceramic fragments are found. Ceramologists measure, compare, identify and restore these fragments, which are known as shards. They then attempt to reconstruct the object to determine its use, period of production and sometimes even the workshop where it was made.