'Black Samian' What is it?

		'Black samian' what is it? On the 11th March, the following query was posted on ARCH-POT NewsGroup As part of a degree course module, I have been asked to do a 10 minute presentation on black samian. Reading books and talking to museum staff has produced some confusion. I would appreciate clarification of some points 1) Is terra nigra and black samian one and the same. Likewise is Terra rubra, Terra Sigillata and red samian one and the same. If in either case the answer is no, what is the difference. 2) I have been told that terra nigra/black samian generally turns up on first century (AD43-AD70) military sites. Guy de la Bedoyere only quotes Libertus and Butrio as producers of black samian (as well as red) In 'Samian Ware' (de la Bedoyere - Shire 1988) these two potters are placed in the Hadrianic period (AD125-AD145) Presumably their work turns up elsewhere. Was there two phases of black samian, or was one terra nigra, and the other black samian. (Assuming they are different forms). Can someone please clarify? 3) Where has the black samian of Libertus and Butrio been found in Britain? 4) How would I recognise Arrentine samian. I know the slip was matt. but I do not have a clear indication of the colour, neither do I know the colour of the fabric? 4) Where, in the south east of England, can I see examples of the fine wares discussed above, particularly the black varieties? Thanks in anticipation for any help. Yours sincerely, Ian Medhurst ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The above was circulated to all members of the SGRP by email ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ted, My main thought is that this is not a subject which should have been set! I suspect a lecturer who does not know the answers himself/herself! Firstly an answer to the questions. 1) Is terra nigra and black samian one and the same. NO, Likewise is Terra rubra, NO terra rubra is an early fineware probably imitating arretine but not samian. Is Terra Sigillata and red samian one and the same. If in either case the answer Yes - the Brits tend to call it samian, the Germans TS, the French turn Terra Sigillata into French. 2) I have been told that terra nigra/black samian generally turns up on first century (AD43-AD70) military sites. Guy de la Bedoyere only quotes Libertus and Butrio as producers of black samian (as well as red) In 'Samian Ware' (de la Bedoyere - Shire 1988) these two potters are placed in the Hadrianic period (AD125-AD145) Terra Nig. is first century. Black samian isn't - Guy is about right. 3) Where has the black samian of Libertus and Butrio been found in Britain? For this type of samian start with an article by Grace Simpson in Ant.J. 37, 1957, p.29ff. 4) How would I recognise Arrentine samian. I know the slip was matt. but I do not have a clear indication of the colour, neither do I know the colour of the fabric? Telling sources of samian apart by their fabric is difficult. With decorated ware you are better working from the decoration backwards. 4) Where, in the south east of England, can I see examples of the fine wares discussed above, particularly the black varieties? Museum of London. Remember that samian often burns black in fires. The term 'black samian' is really a misnomer and would be better considered with the finewares/colour coats produced by the central Gaulish potteries. It is also very, very rare. Peter Webster --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ian, I suppose you've already been told this by now, but the first thing you have to do is look at Peter Webster's book - Roman Samian Pottery in Britain CBA practical Handbook no.13 and find out what samian is. I suppose that is really the object of your exercise. But the thought of answering your questions is too exhausting! You can't understand samian without having an idea about Roman pottery generally and your questions suggest that you need to find out more. I recommend that you follow Kevin Greene's advice to someone on Britarch a couple years ago: 1 start with Swan V G 1988 Pottery in Roman Britain. Shire Archaeology 3 - 4th edition (Long out of print now reprinted, author Guy de la Bedoyere) 2 If you then want a (short) view of the wider context move on to: Greene K 1992 Interpreting the past: Roman pottery. London; British Museum 3 Then (if you can find a copy) look at a 'classic' work on dating/typology: Gillam J P 1970 Types of Roman coarse pottery vessels in northern Britain. 3rd ed, Newcastle upon Tyne; Oriel 4 Now you should be ready for the excellent recent work:Tyers P 1996 Roman pottery in Britain. London; Routledge 5 From which you can progress to a book about studying pottery in general:Orton C R Tyers P and Vince A 1993 Pottery in archaeology. Cambridge Univ Press 6 And finish up with a really good book that brings in science, ethnography, and lots of sensible analogies: Peacock D P S 1982 Pottery in the Roman world: an ethnoarchaeological approach. London; Longman Cathy Tester, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Ted, Thanks for forwarding my query to various people, and many thanks for the photograph. It's the first piece of black samian I have ever set eyes on. I am doing a combined sciences degree at Surrey University, majoring in archaeology. This is my first year. Once again, many thanks. Yours sincerely, Ian Medhurst -------------------------------------------------------------- A big thank you to Peter and Cathy. This is just the sort of question that members of the SGRP should able to answer. Remember, it is often said that too few new (young) pottery specialists are joining our ranks. Here is an opportunity to encourage and enlighten individuals to the 'wonders' of pottery studies. I welcome any further observations and particularly any pictures. Ted Connell -------------------------------------------------------------- A comment, rather late, concerning the enquiry on the website re: black samian and in particular its dating. As pointed out in 1979 (M Bulmer, in J Chester Archaeol Soc 62, 1980 for 1979, 17-18), black samian was not made solely by Libertus/Butrio, and production went on later than Guy de la Bedoyere suggested. Some vessels are dated after c AD 145 at the earliest (date dependent on which Paternus was making them!); see Brian Hartley's comments in SS Frere's Verulamium volume I (1972), 254 D112. Any more recent references to Antonine production of black samian would be gladly received! Best wishes, Margaret Ward
'Black samian' from a cemetery, excavated by the Otford & District Archaeological Group, at Wickham Field, Otford, Kent





Top picture from 35mm colour slide, other pictures taken with Digital Camera, Nikon Coolpix 990

Queries/Research(Pictures) 'Black Samian' what is it?