Discovery Centre Finds – Decorated Greyware flagon

CR1852 From Store to Store

Archive Blog post no. 2

Greyware flagon

This large pottery vessel was found in a well at Frocester, probably dating to the later 2nd or 3rd centuries AD. It was one of several complete or nearly complete pots to come from the well. Most were more flagons (similar to the example shown) or ‘narrow-mouthed’ jars that may have been lost down the well when scooping water into the bucket. Alternatively, the pots may have been ‘special’ deposits, intentionally put in the well as part of a ritual act marking the end of the well’s useful life.

This particular pot is highly decorated with burnished vertical lines to its neck and bands of scored zigzags to its body. It was made in a highly micaceous greyware fabric, which is very common from Frocester. Recently the source for this pottery fabric has been identified as being near Wickwar, approximately 20km to the south of Frocester.