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What's in a Name? Graffiti on Funerary Pottery
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 March 2010
Abstract
Fascicules 7 and 8 of Roman Inscription of Britain II, dealing with samian and coarse pottery respectively, contain some 60 examples of graffiti associated with funerary contexts. Most graffiti are personal names and traditionally these were thought to record the names of the deceased. Analysis has revealed, however, that the names are more likely to be those of mourners or gift-givers. This is suggested by case-endings (graffiti that indicate possession are relatively few), the presence of multiple names in single graves, and the observation that many names were inscribed on ancillary vessels, rather than cinerary urns.
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- Copyright © Edward Biddulph 2006. Exclusive Licence to Publish: The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies
References
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