Search the Collections

About the Collection

The RD Milns Antiquities Museum provides access to its online collection database for students, teachers, researchers and the public. Ranging in date from over 4000 BC to AD 600 and covering a geographical area from modern Iran to Wales, and Germany to Egypt, the RD Milns Antiquities Museum holds the largest publically available collection of ancient Mediterranean antiquities in Queensland.

By using the RD Milns Antiquities Museum Online Collection you agree to the conditions of the Copyright Statement below.

Image requests and general enquiries

Requests for access to images, information or objects held in the RD Milns Antiquities Museum should be completed through the online Collection Material Request Form. Further enquiries regarding the RD Milns Antiquities Museum collection should be directed to the Collections Manager.

Sponsors

The RD Milns Antiquities Museum database and website project was supported by strategic funds from the School of History and Philosophy, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, and the University of Queensland.

Copyright

No image or information displayed on this site may be reproduced, transmitted or copied other than for the purpose of fair dealing (e.g. for research and study) as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, without the permission of the RD Milns Antiquities Museum.

Note

The RD Milns Antiquities Museum makes every effort to provide up to date, accurate and complete information regarding its collection, however, researchers are encouraged to contact the Museum regarding individual items, as necessary. Additional information concerning objects is gratefully received.


to









By using the RD Milns Antiquities Museum Online Collection you agree to the conditions of the Copyright Statement below.

No image or information displayed on this site may be reproduced, transmitted or copied other than for the purpose of fair dealing (e.g. for research and study) as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, without the permission of the RD Milns Antiquities Museum.

Save, email and share your favourite resources

As you search RD Milns Antiquities Museum Online Collection you can add individual items to this page by clicking the 'Add to My Collection' button. Once you have finished your search you can then email, print, or share your results with social media by using the tools at the bottom of the page.

By using the RD Milns Antiquities Museum Online Collection you agree to the conditions of the Copyright Statement below.

Add to my collection

Amphora with Inscribed Handles 125 - 75 BC

Said to have been collected in Israel, before 2003.
AMPHORA
COILING, THROWING
TERRACOTTA
Dimensions 750 x 384 mm
03.058
A large transport amphora of Peacock and Williams Class 1 (also known as a Brindisi Amphora, Ostia Type LXVI or Palazzo Form V). The thickened, round rim has an oblique, downward sloping lower edge, the cylindrical neck has a slightly concave profile, the shoulders are sloping and the body is ovoid, tapering to a knob at the base. The short knob is cylindrical with a slightly thickened lower edge and a central convex button underneath. The two handles are placed symmetrically, one on each side of the neck. Each is round in cross section and curves from beneath the rim around and down to insert on the top of the shoulder and has a stamped name on its upper surface. Remains of coils used in building up the form or throwing marks are evident in the body wall and the surface is roughly finished. The coarse clay has a pink core with dark speckles and a light yellow ochre surface with some pinkish areas. Small white pebbles or flecks of quartz are visible in places. The vase has been reassembled from several large fragments with two small areas of infilling with light orange material. White encrustation covers some of the surface, including one of the infill pieces. A find spot in Israel has been suggested for this amphora. If so, it is an interesting indication of the extent of early Roman trading activity in the eastern Mediterranean area. Also interesting are the handle stamps. One handle has a stamp with the retrograde Latin inscription "LAPANES". The other handle has a Greek inscription "NOYMHN[IO]". Whether stamps record the name of the estate owner who produced the oil or wine that was transported in amphorae or the owner of the pottery that made the vessel is a matter of debate. The former is probably most common. Less frequently, place names are registered. In this case, the Latin word is probably the name of the estate owner (either LAPANES, L. APANES or L. A. Panes) although the name may refer to Apani, the site of kiln remains near Brindisi. The Greek word is probably the name of the potter. Function: Large amphorae were used for the storage and transport (usually by sea) of a variety of goods, principally wine and olive oil, in the ancient Greek and Roman world. The shape of this example suggests that it was probably used for carrying olive oil. The narrow neck allowed for efficient sealing of the filled vessel (using a cork or ceramic plug held in place with mortar) while the two handles at the top and the knob at the base, which could be used as a third handle, enabled easy lifting of its heavy weight. Amphorae could also be re-used in a variety of ways: as storage vessels for other goods, as funerary containers or as infill for construction purposes.
Purchased from Charles Ede Ltd, London, 2003.


No image or information displayed on this site may be reproduced, transmitted or copied other than for the purpose of fair dealing (e.g. for research and study) as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, without the permission of the RD Milns Antiquities Museum.