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dAf 29

LAUBENHEIMER Fanette, Cécile Rodriguez

Les amphores de Bibracte

Le matériel des fouilles anciennes

This work, with a preface by the Minister of Cultural Affairs, is the first volume in a series devoted to the research currently being carried out on Mont-Beuvray, a site of major historical importance which was declared a "national heritage" by the President of France in 1985. Fanette Laubenheimer, a Research Director with the French government research council the CNRS, here makes a detailed study of the extraordinary mass of amphorae discovered at the turn of the century by two Pioneers of archaeological investigation within France itself The author first analyses how the collections were made up, the method used by the two archaeologists in dealing with a vast and difficult mass of material about which virtually nothing was known at the time. Until now only brief and summary publications of this material have been available : nonetheless, they have been widely used. They are now superseded by a rigorously organized and well documented catalogue presenting the whole of the collections for the first time, and giving an entirely new interpretation of the data. These 195 stamped amphorae, mostly italic, are exceptional in Gaul for their quantity, which demonstrates the extent of imports of Etruscan and Campanian wine into one of the largest oppida of independent Gaul during the Ist century BC, and the subsequent emergence of a new current of wine, oil and fish sauce imports from the Iberian Peninsula. This work of reference, the first important publication since the recent reopening of excavations in the Aedui capital, bridges the gap between the diggers of the last century and the archaeologists of today.

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction

The amphorae found in the first excavations of Mont-Beuvray form an extremely attractive collection of artefacts. This is due not only to the importance of Bibracte, one of the greatest oppida of independent Gaul and well-known to students of Caesar, but also to the fact that excavations were carried out with great persistence over forty years from 1867 to 1907. The exceptionally rich collection of stamped amphorae, 195 stamps in all, was only given partial and summary publication at the time. A renewed and thorough examination appeared essential in order to collect ail the information and establish reference documents for such an important body of material.

1. The archaeologist and the amphorae: 1867-1907

Throughout the duration of his excavation work Bulliot constantly found a number. of amphorae fragments, artefacts which he was not expecting, to find and of which he had little knowledge. He believed them the originate "without doubt from Gaul". But one must remember to what extent, in 1867, he was a pioneer : the history of Roman amphorae was still an unknown quantity and reference works were totally lacking. Through the frequently picturesque descriptions of Bulliot and those of Déchelette, it seems that one large series of amphorae was distinctly predominant, those which would later be called Dressel 1 Italian. The evaluation of numbers of imported amphorae at Bibracte is an essential point in the study of the Aedui economy and lifestyle. The task is a delicate one and can only be carried out by analysing the excavation reports and the terms used by the archaeologists. Expressions such as "pile of amphorae" or "great heap" abound. There are amphorae everywhere, but it is extremely difficult to know how many. No doubt their great number made it common practice for these single-use recipients to be salvaged for other purposes : building materials, cinerary urns, containers for various purposes... The predominance of a single type - D1 - and the extreme rarity of others suggest a single source of wine supplies, from merchants enjoying a monopoly.

2. The establishment of the collections

Although he understood little of the economic importance of this rough ware, Bulliot nonetheless took the trouble to examine and describe it, even discovering and deciphering the inscriptions and taking the decision to keep part of the finds, stamped objects but also complete shoulders, rims, handles or bases. The collections therefore represent a selection of finds which were distributed as the excavation work progressed. The largest proportion remained at Autun, but a considerable part was taken to the château of Saint-Germain-en-Lay which the emperor Napoleon III had just elevated to the dignity of Musée National des Antiquités. A precise inventory makes it possible to identify most of the objects which are still kept there. The identification of the Autun Museum collection has proved more difficult, in the absence of an inventory. Other amphorae may be found in the Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray Museum and in a few private collections. 94% of the total material preserved belongs to D1 wine amphorae whose predominance is striking whatever sample maybe chosen.

3. The establishment of the catalogue

Comparison of the list of objects derived from references scattered through Bulliot's confused publications (some of which have been lost) and the list of objects preserved in collections (not all of which have been published) was a necessary and delicate preliminary, and a veritable enquiry was needed to establish the full inventory. Each stamp was illustrated : photo of the object, drawing and photo of the stamp, reproduction of Bulliot's drawing where it existed. Descriptions of the object, its fabric and stamp were completed where possible by its position on the site, its references and publications where appropriate and documentation on the stamp in the light of current knowledge.

4. The catalogue of marks

It is divided into three sections : fingermarks (3 ex.), graffiti (4 ex.) and stamps (Greek, Latin and symbolic, 193 ex.).

5. Observations on data derived from stamped material

Much the largest proportion of Latin stamps are to be found on Italian amphorae : for a quarter of them chronological indications show that Italian wine was imported from the beginning to the end of the first century BC. Imports of Etruscan and Campanian wine are demonstrated by stamps of known origin (shipwreck, workshop or onomastic). Distribution of Italian wine in Bibracte seems little different from that in other oppida in Gaul. A few wine amphorae from Tarraconaise show the beginning of a new  series of imports at the end of the first century BC, associated with some oil and fish sauce imports from the southern Iberian peninsula.

Conclusion

Before analysing the amphorae themselves, a glance at the personalities of the pioneer excavators of Beuvray clarifies their research methods and the choice of finds preserved, at a time when the Musée des Antiquités nationales was in, the process of being born. The rich amphora documentation of Beuvray, seen as a whole for the first time, provides an invaluable reference both for the new research being undertaken on the site and for research elsewhere.

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