Abstract:

Wine production in the area of Tarraco (Tarragona) is known both through various authors from the first century AD that refer to it, as well as through the archaeological remains identified that evidence the existence of various figlinae. The latter were mainly intended for the manufacture of amphorae for trading local wine. In order to expand our knowledge of the several amphora types produced in that area, their chronology, and their commercial diffusion, a thorough review of all available information in this field has been conducted. The final aim is to provide a synthetic status of the issue on the production and trade dynamics of the wine amphorae from the ager of Tarraco. Although initially is detected in late Republican times, wine amphorae production started in the Augustan period, with the type Oberaden 74, which fixes the beginning of the export of the Tarraconensis wine mentioned by the Roman authors. The manufacture of the Pascual 1 type appears to have been lower and probably assigned to Gaulish markets. The emergence of wine production and trade took place in Claudian times, with the appearance of Dressel 2-4 amphorae, basically traded to Rome. Amphora production in the territory of Tarraco persisted until the 3rd century AD focused in the Dressel 2-4 amphorae type called “evolved”.