York’s ‘African-style’ Severan Pottery Reconsidered

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of so-called African-style pottery made in early third century York. The pottery, which was produced in significant quantities in late Ebor ware, is strikingly different from vessels in circulation in Roman Britain and the north-west provinces – so much so that the late Vivien Swan argued that it was ‘made by Africans for the use of Africans’. The present study reassesses the evidence of ceramic genealogical influences, production waste, fabric supply, consumption patterns, and contextual finds associations. The results shed new light on the manufacture and use of late Ebor ware by York’s military community, qualifying claims made aboutthe repertoire’s links with novel culinary practices, cultural diversity, and the unique historical circumstances of Severan York.