Roman kilns structures

The Roman figlina of Morraçal da Ajuda is located in the city of Peniche (Portugal) in the Atlantic coast in the ancient Roman province of Lusitania. It was discovered in 1998 and four ceramic kilns were unearthed, as well as dumping pits, a stone wall and a array of Peniche type12 amphorae rims, during the six archaeological excavations that took place since then. A variety of amphorae types, imitations of fine wares, coarse wares and building ceramics were products of the figlina. The same grey clays used by the Roman potters were found in the surroundings of the kilns and were analyzed by a team of Portuguese experts that defined their chemical components. These clays when fired turned into reddish colored fabrics. Some of the amphorae were covered with a white/yellow slip obtained from poor quality clays. This figlina was producing ceramics since Augustan times up to the second half of 2nd century AD. We found, until now, 110 potter´s stamps with the trinomial of L. Arvenivs Rusticvs the pottery`s owner, roughly. We guess Lucius was an Italian, maybe a Roman “colonus” that came to Lusitania with a group of well skilled potters. Knowing the secrets how to make terra sigillata they tried to make some good imitations of these vases, to sell/ export, to the markets of Lusitania.