Bowls were first classified by Lee (2009). They occur in 6 basic forms [types 1-4 and 6-7] and can be broadly dated to the 1st-5th centuries AD. Bowls occur mostly in a band across Britain from Cambridgeshire to Mendip with some outliers and occur most frequently in urban centres.
Distribution
Bowls follow the same pattern for dishes occurring primarily in a band from Cambridgeshire to Mendip with some outliers notably in the SE. It is notable that type 2a-2b forms occurred largely within Mendip, type 2c in the SW whilst 2d occurs mostly in Cambridgeshire and Northants. With regard to contexts, bowls seem to occur on roughly equal terms between rural and urban settlements.
Forms
Conical bowl with rim [type 1-1a(ii)], sometimes with distended bowl [type 1c]. Semispherical bowls forms, with a foot without [type 2-2(i)] and with a rim [type 2e-2e (iv)]. Alternately semi-spherical bowls might have a body flange [type 2a-2a(i)], which can be octagonal [type 2c-2c(i)] or a flanged rim [type 2b-2c(iii)] which can be octagonal [type 2d-2d(iii)]. Sometimes semi-spherical bowls have a distended bowl [type 3-3a]. Sometimes the bowl is shallow [type 6]. Some flanged semi-spherical bowl forms remain unclear [type 7]. Cauldron bowls have an ovoid section, foot and rim [type 4-4a].
Chronology
Bowls occur in pre-3rd century AD contexts. Some type 1 bowls are known from 1st or 2nd century AD contexts, although they occur mostly in 1st-4th century AD contexts. It is worth noting that type 2e bowls are also known from 1st-5th century AD contexts. Type 7 bowls are known only from 2nd century contexts. However, most bowls fall into 3rd-5th century AD contexts. Types 2; 2c; 3, 4 and 6 bowls seem to occur in 4th century AD contexts. However, type 2a bowls are known from 3rd-4th century AD contexts and type 2b from 2nd-4th century AD contexts. Conversely, type 2d bowls occur in 4th-5th century AD contexts.
References
Lee, R. 2009. The Production, Use and Disposal of Romano-British Pewter Tableware. Oxford: Archaeopress.
Conical bowl with rim [type 1-1a(ii)], sometimes with distended bowl [type 1c]. Semispherical bowls forms, with a foot without [type 2-2(i)] and with a rim [type 2e-2e (iv)]. Alternately semi-spherical bowls might have a body flange [type 2a-2a(i)], which can be octagonal [type 2c-2c(i)] or a flanged rim [type 2b-2c(iii)] which can be octagonal [type 2d-2d(iii)]. Sometimes semi-spherical bowls have a distended bowl [type 3-3a]. Sometimes the bowl is shallow [type 6]. Some flanged semi-spherical bowl forms remain unclear [type 7]. Cauldron bowls have an ovoid section, foot and rim [type 4-4a].
Chronology
Bowls occur in pre-3rd century AD contexts. Some type 1 bowls are known from 1st or 2nd century AD contexts, although they occur mostly in 1st-4th century AD contexts. It is worth noting that type 2e bowls are also known from 1st-5th century AD contexts. Type 7 bowls are known only from 2nd century contexts. However, most bowls fall into 3rd-5th century AD contexts. Types 2; 2c; 3, 4 and 6 bowls seem to occur in 4th century AD contexts. However, type 2a bowls are known from 3rd-4th century AD contexts and type 2b from 2nd-4th century AD contexts. Conversely, type 2d bowls occur in 4th-5th century AD contexts.
References
Lee, R. 2009. The Production, Use and Disposal of Romano-British Pewter Tableware. Oxford: Archaeopress.