Lusitanian amphorae from the dump layer above the arles-rhône 3 shipwreck

In this paper, we present a first look at the Lusitanian amphora assemblage from the Roman Arles-Rhône 3 shipwreck, excavated after a decision by the Conseil Général des Bouches du Rhône and through the structure of the Musée d’Arles Antique by one of the authors. This archaeological site consists of a shipwreck on the right river bank of the Rhone in the former town of Arelate, dated to AD 55/65, and a dump layer above it, which ends around AD 140. The Lusitanian amphorae discussed belong to this dump layer and account for 32 individuals among an estimated universe of 2798 amphorae. This assemblage is quite important for understanding the first moments in the distribution of Lusitanian foodstuffs along the Mediterranean and namely in southern France, where this trade became stronger in Late Antiquity. At Arles-Rhône, Tagus/Sado products dominate, but a possible secondary production centre was attested: Peniche appears as a complementary supplier to the valleys mentioned, which are related to Olisipo/Lisbon and Tróia. At least two peculiarities can be stressed: a significant amount of an almost unknown type, Dressel 14 parva, and seven preserved tituli picti, with various information regarding the contents and the traders. The role of the Lusitanian fish-salting products during the early Empire in this area of the western Mediterranean is briefly discussed.