About the data

The data broadly consists of two components: a fully quantified database of all Gallo-Belgic pottery found in Britain and a definitive catalogue of all the potter's stamps. Information recorded for all material includes Findspot, County, OS Grid reference, Excavation, Context, presumed Tribal territory, Site type and Associated finds. The data is presented through search facilities, maps and tables. Links are highlighted in blue.

THE STAMP DATABASE

Introduction

The Stamp Database currently records full details of 1069 stamps assigned to 360 potters, found in Britain up to December 2006. For comparative purposes, it includes seven stamps on Imitation Terra Nigra (ITN) and Terra Rubra (ITR) and 14 on kiln-fired, quartz sand-tempered coarse wares (CW) which may not be imports. All stamps, including the most fragmentary and illegible impressions have been included. Each stamp has been allocated a unique Stamp No. Where practicable a stamp is illustrated by the image of an original graphite rubbing scanned in Greyscale at 300 DPI. The rubbing of the best example of a die is accompanied by a drawn transcription and, in addition, a selection also includes colour photos with scales. In three cases a more complete rubbing taken from a continental find has been substituted, the record code is included with the image. The abbreviations are: BAV = Bavay. TR = Trier. Scaled rubbings and drawings will be reproduced in the forthcoming publication.

The stamps fall into five defined categories:

• Names
• End Fragments
• Cursive Copies
• Marks
• Patterns

Accessing the data

Details about stamps can be accessed through Search Stamped Vessels, Map View or Browse Tables (Stamps, Potters, Dies, Die Readings). Detailed individual reports on the stamps and potters can be generated by the database via their individual Stamp and Potter numbers. Images can also be accessed via the Stamp No.

The terminology, abbreviations, symbols and formatting used to transfer the data from the manual system are summarised below.

STAMP - the impression of a die surviving on a sherd or vessel

• Position - Defined abbreviations
  • C Central on upper base of cups and platters
  • R Radial - multiple impressions on upper base of large diameter platters
  • U Underside of base of closed forms
• Forms:
  Obligatory field with defined terms from a drop-down list using the Camulodunum classification. Also functional divided into cups, platters, beakers.
• Fabrics:
  Obligatory field with defined terms from a drop-down list using the Camulodunum classification.

  TN	Terra Nigra
  TN1A	Pale matrix; slip on the upper visible surface
  TR	Terra Rubra
  TR1A	Pale matrix; red or orange slip on the upper visible surface
  TR1B	Pale matrix; red or orange slip overall
  TR1C	Orange or red matrix; slip confined to upper visible surface
  TR2	Self-coloured orange or red fabric
  ITN	Imitation Terra Nigra. Fine quartz-sand-tempered dark matrix, finished and fired like TN
  ITR	Imitation Terra Rubra. Fine quartz-sand-tempered orange matrix, finished and fired like TR2
  CW	Coarseware copy. Fine quartz-sand-tempered fabric
  Eggshell	Fine quartz-sand-tempered dark matrix, highly polished self-coloured finish
  Graphite	Probably coarseware copy with metallic like slip.

• Stamp Comment
  

  Optional field in free text summarising Position and Reading of the stamp, Form, Fabric, Decoration and details not covered by the database

  Terms and abbreviations used to record the vessel in Stamp Comment

  Form:
  S	small version
  L	large version
  v	very
  V	Variant
  56A-C	Specific Cam form 56 variants
  Matrix:	appearance and texture of the fabric using a fresh break
  B/G	blue/grey surface colour of TN
  G/B	grey/black surface colour of TN
  B/B	blue/black surface colour of TN
  Decoration:	on the upper base
  RW	Single Rouletted Wreath incised on upper base
  BRW	Single Bordered Rouletted Wreath with the edges defined by incised circles
  DBRW	Double Bordered Rouletted Wreath
  IC	Incised Circle centred on the upper base and cut with a fine pointed tool.
  DIC	Double Incised Circle, an adjacent pair of concentric circles.
  TIC	Triple Incised Circle, three adjacent concentric circles
  BC	Burnished circle, one or more broad shallow circles incised with a snub-nosed tool.
  Matt Zone	Circle with a matt dull finish in contrast to surrounding glossy polished surface finish; the zone is typically defined by BC.
  Combed Wreath	Multiple concentric circles incised using a pronged comb.

• DIE:
  tool used to stamp the maker's name or mark on the vessel
• Frame type:
  Classification of the shape and proportions of the die using 1-18. See Figure for the classification of the overall die shapes.
• Reading:
  The accepted reading of a die. In upper case throughout unless some letter is significantly small.
• Direction:
  In upper case throughout unless some letter is significantly small. Pro progressive, ie left to right Re retrograde, ie right to left Cir circular read like a clock face x2 - -line stamp is always upside down. The stamp is rotated 180 degrees and read from two directions
• Expansion:
  A full reading of a ligatured, abbreviated or broken stamp. Optional field Symbols used to transcribe stamps [__] brackets: broken stamp with missing letters or motifs ( ) brackets: conjectured letters within Names and Marks apostrophe: incorporated in a Name, Cursive name and Marks indicates a spot at mid-point stop: incorporated in a Name, Cursive name and Marks indicates a stop. < > : connect ligatured letters

POTTER

• Potter Number
  

  Generated by database and used to access all details about a potter

  Exceptional use of Potter Numbers

  P186:	tiny corner fragments and stamps removed in antiquity
  P187:	1-line fragments
  P188:	1-line complete stamps
  P189:	2-line fragments
  P190:	2-line complete stamps
  P191:	1-Line totally illegible
  P192:	2-line totally illegible stamps

• Name 1
  The spelling which determines the alphabetical order of a potter in the Potter List.
• Name 2
  

  a) Following \ indicates alternative readings of an uncertain Name. Optional field.

  b) On the lower line of a two-line Name stamp

  Name-types

  Prefix:	Inserted before the accepted spelling Used to codify different types of die readings and so that database can cluster dies of similar appearance (Normal type).
  Name:	Recognised Name of an individual or 'firm'. (UPPER CASE).
  NAME:	Not an obvious name but several letters clear and recognisable.
  Cursive Name:	An attempt to present a name but some letters so inexpertly shaped the name is difficult to interpret. 1-line die. Prefix ZC.
  Cursive Name:	2-line die. Prefix ZZC.
  Mark:	2 or more simple letters repeated and used as motifs rather than actual letters. 1-line die. Illiterate. Prefix ZM.
  Pattern Mark:	A mark, no attempt to produce a name. 1-line die. Illiterate. Prefix ZP.
  Abbreviation:	2 to 4 letters only and recognisable as the abbreviation of a Name. Suffix: UPPER CASE +

• Potter Comment
  

  Optional field in free text summarising the output of the potter including the possible location of the kiln and continental parallels. Unrelated to the Tables and generated as a report.

  • { } brackets
    Form or Fabric recorded on the continent but not in Britain

DIE - tool used to stamp the maker's name or mark on the vessel

• Die-code
  A 3-section code to classify and identify the stamp reading, eg. 01A01, 02B02.
  • 01 ff: Defines spelling of Name 1
  • A-Z: Classifies the style of letters and motifs used
  • 01 ff: Separates and counts dies sharing the same spelling and style
• Defining ex
  Y & * indicate the best example of a die in the database
• Comment
  Optional field in free text summarising Position and Reading of the stamp, Form, Fabric, Decoration and details not covered by the database.
• Frame type
  Classification of the shape and proportions of the die using 1-18. See Figure for the classification of the overall die shapes.
• Reading
  The accepted reading of a die. In upper case throughout unless some letter is significantly small.
• Direction
  In upper case throughout unless some letter is significantly small. Pro progressive, ie left to right Re retrograde, ie right to left Cir circular read like a clock face x2 - -line stamp is always upside down. The stamp is rotated 180 degrees and read from two directions
• Expansion
  A full reading of a ligatured, abbreviated or broken stamp. Optional field Symbols used to transcribe stamps [__] brackets: broken stamp with missing letters or motifs ( ) brackets: conjectured letters within Names and Marks apostrophe: incorporated in a Name, Cursive name and Marks indicates a spot at mid-point stop: incorporated in a Name, Cursive name and Marks indicates a stop. < > : connect ligatured letters

SEARCH FOR NEW STAMPS

• Search for a pattern of characters.
  It is possible to search for parallels for a new stamp or part of a stamp using this facility by typing in visible components of the stamp.

QUANTIFIED DATA

• Search Quantified data
  By clicking on the appropriate icon it is possible to search for data by FINDSPOT, COUNTY, FABRIC or FORM. Alternatively searches can be generated through using the Map View facility. The material is quantified by minimum number of vessels (MNV). Tables listing material by Context, Excavations, Findspots, and Quantified data can be found under BROWSE TABLES.
• Search Associated finds
  For each findspot a list of associated finds has been compiled to document other imports, mainly pottery, from the location. This is not a quantified list and reflects the assemblage as a whole not necessarily the same context as the Gallo-Belgic pottery.

BIBLIOGRAPHY