Jar and amphora stoppers and plugs from Berenike. Distribution at the site, materials and techniques

Abstract

Amphorae and jar stoppers (excavated/recovered)found during the 2010–2014 seasons of the Polish–American excavations at Berenike in the Red Sea are found mainly in the early Roman trash dumps, although single finds come from all over the ancient city. Altogether 54 stoppers were studied. More than 60% were preserved fragmentarily, some were stamped and colored. As a category they are typical of the Eastern Dessert. Numerous finds come from Myos Hormos and Mons Claudianus, single finds from Mons Porphyrites and Sikait. They reflect Egyptian wine production during the Roman and late Roman periods. They consist of plug and sealing mixture, made from various materials like plaster and mud, ceramic elements (bowls, lids, roudcuts(?), sherds), natural cork, wood or textile.