Gallo-roman Shard - Character - 1st 3rd Century -pro2

fragment dimensions 9.5/5 cm - average thickness 0.5/0.7 cm. This is an archaeological fragment of a shaped piece made in Gaul between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. Sigillata terracotta - -- Sigillata ceramics are fine ceramics intended for table service, used in Roman Antiquity. It is characterized by a red glaze cooked in an oxidizing atmosphere. The decorations are in relief, molded, printed or added. Some pieces bear stamps, hence the name, sigillata coming from sigillum, the seal. The technique was introduced in Italy from the Hellenistic Near East (2nd century BC). The conquest of Gaul by Caesar, the organization into provinces by Augustus brought the presence of numerous legions. This presence created a market, and led to the opening of factories in Gaul. There were several large production centers: Lyon, Graufensenque (Aveyron) and Lezoux Auvergne (Arvernes territory).