Wine amphora
Medium:Ceramic (earthenware)
Geography: Excavated at Gebel Adda, Egypt (ancient Nubia)
Date: c. 400-550 AD
Period: Post-Meroitic Period
Object number: 973.24.1217
Credit Line: Gift of the National Geographic Society
DescriptionWine amphora were very popular in Roman Egypt; they were specially designed for the transport of wine in ships. They would be packed in rows, alternating one up and one down. The horizontal ribbing besides being decorative is practical as well, making the vessel stronger and lighter at the same time. The finger marks inside the handle may have made for easier handling. The spike base could be held when pouring wine out of the amphora. The double handles also meant that the amphora could be tied together and lashed to the side of a donkey for transport. This amphora was found in tomb 217 at Gebel Adda and presumably contained offerings for the deceased.
Object History: Excavated by the American Research Center in Egypt (Nicholas B. Millet), 1962-1966
