Mortarium

Date45-400

Where foundLondon, UK, Europe

MediumStoneware

DimensionsObject/Work: 90 x 290 x 90 mm

ClassificationsContainer

Terms

Object numberC00972

DescriptionFragment of a Roman mortarium. Large rim fragment with a funnel at the front and the stamped impression 'Ollus_'. Found in Wood Street, Cheapside, May 1848. London.

A mortarium is a Roman vessel which provides the same function as a modern day mortar, for grinding corn or wheat or spices, as well as being the origin of the name. Many were stoneware due to the high durability in comparison to pottery and since it was in daily use it needed to be of tough material.

Ollus is normally the plural of olla or jar, in Latin. Occasionally however it can be a variant of the name Aullus. A note from previous curators at the museum mentions it may be more to do with the manufacturer's name than just "jar" in Latin. In any case it is not thought to be a jar but a mortarium, giving some more strength to the suggestion of it being a name.

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