RB pewter jugs and/or flagons (the difference perhaps being flagons were lidded) occur in 3 main forms; types 1-3 (Lee 2009, 57). They can be dated predominantly to the 3rd-4th century AD. Jugs occur all over Britain with focuses in Mendip and Cambridgeshire and occur mostly on rural sites.
Distribution
Jugs seem to have occurred within both urban and rural contexts all over England. Biconical jugs [type 1] seem to proliferate in the Mendip region and may well have been produced there (Lee 2015). Narrow Mouthed jugs [type 2] predominantly occur in Cambridgeshire (Lethbridge and O'Reilly 1933), although the reason for this distribution is currently unclear.
Forms
Biconical jugs (Barker 1901) with an ovoid body and plain [Lee, 2009: types 1-1a] or decorated neck [type 1b-1b(iii)]. Narrow mouthed jugs that are pear shaped with flared neck, ring mouldings and S shaped handle [Lee, 2009: types 2a; 2d] or L shaped handle [Lee, 2009: type 2c]. Globular Jugs, with a spherical body and neck [Lee, 2009: type 3]. There is a possible further form of lidded flagon not discussed.
Chronology
Type 1 or biconical jugs can be dated to the 3rd-4th century with some examples known from 5th century contexts. Type 2 jugs appear to date to the 4th century but it a pre 3rd century AD example is known. Type 3 jugs are likely also 4th century AD in date. There is no current dating evidence for lidded jugs if indeed this form exists. It should be noted dating information for many forms of jug are yet to be published.
References
Lee, R. 2016, ‘Biconical Jugs; an example of regional Romano-British Pewter Production within Mendip’, Proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, 159.1, pp. 36-38
Lee, R. 2009. The Production, Use and Disposal of Romano-British Pewter Tableware. Oxford: Archaeopress.
Lethbridge, T. and O’Reilly, M. 1933. Archaeological notes. Proceedings of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, 33, 65-66.