This volumes examines Roman pottery and production centers in the bay of
Gaditana, modern-day Cadiz. The innovative aspects of this research are
several but we will limit them to three: the typological classification
from a closer perspective to the mentality of the old potter; the
concept of 'social measure', which connects the dimensions of the
containers with the type of consumer and social group; and, the
ethnoarchaeological aspects applied to the construction of a furnace,
which have enabled to better specify various aspects relating to the
manufacture of common Roman ceramics. From a methodological point of
view, it is proposed a debate about the concept of 'common pottery',
which is defined as ceramics intended for a common and multipurpose use,
more practical than aesthetic. Likewise, it is exposed the great problem
of the typologies, seeking not only a logical classification into types
and variants, but also a reference to the artisan work. The theme of the
ancient name of Roman ceramic forms is faced in order to call by the old
names to the Roman pottery forms found today. The concept of 'social
measure', unprecedented in this type of analysis, pretends to reach a
social accepted measure, obtained with a statistical study. This measure
is that one around which the values are concentrated.
