IO 
ROMAN POTTERY FOUND IN BRITAIN. 
appropriated synonym for the ronnd-bodied narrow-necked vessels 
of ordinary clay with one or two handles so abundant on Roman 
sites. 
That the one-handled flagon has come to be regarded as “ the 
leading chronological indicator in the early grave-fields,’ - and as 
“ speaking with a certain voice in regard to the period of a 
discovery" is owing to its wide distribution throughout the period 
of the Empire, and its marked and peculiarly Roman characteristics, 
which can be readily recognised. Even in the Christian period 
when it ceased to be carefully deposited in earth along with the 
cinerary urn, it was only superseded by two or three similar vessels 
of smaller size, less than 6 inches high, and of one third or one 
quarter the content of their predecessor, placed in the corners of 
the coffin or sarcophagus where there was no room for the larger 
one, and probably used symbolically or according to custom. 
In domestic use it survives to the end of the Roman period and 
occasionally in Frankish or Saxon graves. 
It is noted by Lceschcke, Haltevn V., p. in, and Ritterling, 
Hofheim, plate VI., types 24, 26, that as early as the beginning of 
the I. Century, when ordinary brick-red clay was used for flagons, 
it was not seldom coated with white clay slip—usually nearly all 
worn away,—a peculiarity often observed on flagons derived from 
Romano-British sites, and the preference for white, creamy, light 
buff, or very pale clay for flagons appears to have been universal. 
The colour of mortaria or pelves seems to have been influenced 
by a similar convention, the majority being of pale clay, and, when 
of red clay, often coated with or retaining traces of white slip."' 
*This conformity of colour suggests that the mortarium and lagena may 
have been used in conjunction as basin and ewer for ordinary ablutions by the 
Romans, who were a cleanly people. In this connection Ward’s suggestion 
(The Roman Era in Britain, p. 173, Fig. 51) may be cited, that the mortar was 
not ordinarily used resting on a table, but was inserted in a round hole large 
enough to receive the body, yet allow the rim to rest on its edge, confirmed by 
the more careful finish on the inside and rim of the vessel and often rough 
condition of the exterior. Taken together these peculiarities are consistent with 
the use of an article of furntiure like the old fashioned wash-hand stand, and 
the hard coating inside the mortarium may have served to resist the constant 
friction of the heavy upper vessel or for hand-rubbing. Fine sand may also 
have been used in lieu of soap and, in order to retain it, the dirty water slowly 
poured off by means of the spout. It may likewise be mentioned that white 
pipe-clay is absorbent and only suitable for holding water. 
