The ARCEA Project. Production Centres and Trade Relations in the Early Empire. Analysis of the Amphorae Production from the Tarraconensis Central Coast

Abstract

The amphorae production of the Tarraconensis central coast during the Early Empire is mainly linked to the wine trading, becoming apparent a clear predominance of Dressel 2 – 4 type, while other wine amphorae (Gauloise 4 and Almadrava IV) are only produced in the territorium of Dianium, as well as the oil amphorae Oliva 3. Although over the last years, the scientific community has shown a great interest in the studies focused on the production and trade of Roman amphorae in the Iberian Peninsula, the advances in the knowledge of Hispanic amphorae productions have been uneven, being the Tarraconensis northern coast and Baetica the best-known areas. On the contrary, amphorae production of the Tarraconensis central coast is less known, despite the fact that these containers would be traded in the western empire, as shown by classic authors’ references3 and the amphorae findings. For this reason, a research programme has been started which intends to improve the knowledge of this production and its distribution: The ARCEA project. The project is mainly based on three complementary action areas.