More Containers for Pliny's Wine

Legacy Data on an Overlooked Altotiberina 1 and 2 Amphora Production Site in the Upper Tiber Valley

Abstract

This paper presents previously overlooked evidence for the production and regional distribution of the so-called Altotiberina amphorae, manufactured throughout the Upper and Middle Tiber Valley during the early Imperial period. Despite their broad geographical spread, few kiln sites have been documented. One such site, located at Felceto, was initially discovered in 1993 during surveys and is documented here through the re-examination of legacy data. The Felceto site produced a number of poorly standardized, flat-bottomed amphorae consistent with known early Imperial forms. The available data are presented here as a basis for further research into the scale of production, and distribution networks of these containers at local, regional, and macro-regional levels. Special attention is given to the regional context between Sansepolcro and Città di Castello – territory once belonging to the municipium of Tifernum Tiberinum – where similar amphorae were reportedly used, including at Pliny the Younger’s villa in Tuscis.