Amphora production and salsamenta trade: the case of Thamusida (Rabat, Morocco)

This paper aims at present the first results obtained in the study of salsamenta amphora production, integrating both archaeometric characterisation and archaeological study. Main objective was to verify the presence or the absence at Thamusida of a local production of amphorae, by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. The results obtained from the analysis of 76 samples proved the existence of an industrious local ceramic production, focused on the manufacturing of Beltran IIB and Dressel 7-11 types. As far as amphorae and salsamenta trade are concerned, these results are of particular significance because they establish a reciprocal (not anymore only univocal) exchange between Baetica and Mauretania roman provinces. Within the selected amphora context, Spanish, French, Tunisian, Algerian and Libyans products have been also analysed for comparison.