A glimpse into the Early Imperial Roman Atlantic trade. Historical and marine context of a ceramic assemblage in a shipwreck at Cortiçais (Peniche, Portugal)

Abstract

A strict isochrony of fragments of Haltern 70 baetican amphorae (probably wine containers), Italian Sigillata, and a few fragments of thin-walled pottery and common ware led to the identification of a shipwreck at Cortiçais, on the southern rocky coast of the paleo-island of Peniche, to-day a peninsula. Within the chronology initially suggested by the amphora materials, the fineware findings support a date around the transition of the Era (15 BC to 15AD). The analysis of the data collected fits in with the known patterns of foreign trade and geostrategic and economic role of this coastal region two millenia ago. The tiny shipwreck site fits within the broader pattern including the expansion of Rome’s power towards the Iberian Northwest, the related trade or military supply networks established along the Atlantic route and the debate regarding their relationship with trade routes towards Britannia and Germania Inferior.