Details

COLEM:PC.619

Colchester Collections

pot, face pot, cremation vessel

This face pot was excavated from area of Abbey Field in Roman Colchester’s southern cemetery area. It contained the cremation of an adult with traces of osteoarthritis on the bone. Braithwaite type 13A. Face pots are unusual Roman cremation vessels that have a face applied to the body of the pot. Although there are similarities in style, each one is unique in some way. They are rare in Britain, but Colchester has one of the largest collections. Face pots have been associated with the Roman army, and this may explain their popularity in Colchester, which had a strong military community from AD 49. It is still unknown whether the face was meant to represent an image of the deceased, a god or goddess or had some other meaning.

Roman

ceramic, bone, buff ware

height: 200.00 mm
diameter: 215.00 mm

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