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What's in a Name? Graffiti on Funerary Pottery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2010

Edward Biddulph
Edward Biddulph
Affiliation:
Haddenham, Buckinghamshire
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Abstract

Fascicules 7 and 8 of Roman Inscription of Britain II, dealing with samian and coarse pottery respectively, contain some 60 examples of graffiti associated with funerary contexts. Most graffiti are personal names and traditionally these were thought to record the names of the deceased. Analysis has revealed, however, that the names are more likely to be those of mourners or gift-givers. This is suggested by case-endings (graffiti that indicate possession are relatively few), the presence of multiple names in single graves, and the observation that many names were inscribed on ancillary vessels, rather than cinerary urns.

Keywords

Roman Britainburialsgrave-goodsinscriptionsgraffitisamian
Type
Notes
Information
Britannia , Volume 37 , November 2006 , pp. 355 - 359
Copyright
Copyright © Edward Biddulph 2006. Exclusive Licence to Publish: The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies

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References

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