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Journal of Roman Pottery Studies    Volume 1, 1986   Edited by Rob Perrin

INTRODUCTION
R. Perrin

The publication of a journal devoted to Roman pottery studies is a logical progression for the Roman Pottery Study Group which, over the last decade, has seen its membership rise to around one hundred, half of whom are employed to study pottery full-time. What began as a call to publish some of the lectures given at its annual meetings has been augmented by the vast reservoir of information currently lodged in the collective heads of the membership, and which may not be released through the existing pottery publication outlets. The lack of additional publication media has been identified as being one of the prime causes of .the "crisis in archaeological publication" (Department of the Environment Report, 1975) but, unfortunately, the response to the crisis has been largely negative, based on the premise that the answer is to restrict the amount of material appearing on paper in favour of large numbers of microfiche containing the bulk of the report. While pottery studies can probably continue under various constraints they will swiftly be stifled if full publication ceases, and despite all arguments to the contrary microfiche are, by their very nature, an anathema to the future of pottery research.

It is strangely curious that at a time when there appears to be a call for "more interesting" pottery reports which concentrate on aspects of people and society rather than date, one of the prime means whereby such information can be gleaned, namely fully published pottery assemblages, is being curtailed. It seems appropriate, therefore, to reiterate in the first Journal of Roman Pottery Studies the reasons why pottery is of importance to all aspects of archaeology, and some of the many particular aspects of ancient life for which it is of especial relevance. In terms of archaeology as a whole, pottery is pre-eminent in that:

1. It is the only major type of artefact that has almost total survival.
2. It is the most abundant type of artefact found, and occurs on most sites.
3. Pottery vessels remain in use for limited periods only, and change in source, style and technique through time.

These facts enable pottery to:

a. provide the strongest and most reliable dating evidence;
b. be the primary source for determining local and international trade patterns and routes;
c. provide evidence for economic conditions, development and change;
d. give insight into cultural and social conditions;
e. provide information on the state and development of technology.

It is hoped that by providing an additional regular and relatively cheap medium for the publication of pottery the Journal of Roman Pottery Studies will help to offset the detrimental effects of microfiche and
                                                                                                                                                    continued

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