Nile Silt Amphorae
Egypt/Upper Egypt
2nd century BCE - 5th century CE
Hellenistic/Ptolemaic, Roman
General Information
This group includes containers that were mainly produced for the transport of foodstuffs, such as oil or wine. The amphorae of Nile silt were common in the Ptolemaic and Roman period as well as in late antiquity.
The amphorae of this group were made of the characteristic brown Nile silt. Most pieces have a plain slip on their exterior that is applied in a very thin coat. On the interior of the wall and base remnants of a
resin can be identified on some fragments. This was applied to the interior as a protective layer in order to prevent the slow leakage of liquid content.
