- Chapter Thirteen -
as well as in some graves of both periods. The distribution of amphorae (Figure 13. I ;
Fitzpatrick 1985) reflects primarily the availability of water routes for transportation
rather than the distribution of traded wine. Ancient writers mention wooden barrels
and skin bags for use in wine transport (Wells 1980 : 66), and these containers would
have been much more efficient for overland travel.
Figure 13. 1 Map showing distribution of ceramic amphorae from the Greek world on the
shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Profile in upper left indicates shape of the amphorae. Solid
dots: land finds. Open dots: amphorae on shipwrecks. Note especially the locations in eastern
France, Switzerland and south-western Germany. (From Kimmig 1983: 36, fig. 27; reproduced
with permission from the Romisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz.)The series of imported bronze vessels began with the so-called Rhodian jugs
that appear in graves of the first half of the sixth century BC, and continued into
the Roman period. The vessels included unique objects such as the Grachwil
hydria, the Vix krater and the Hochdorf cauldron, all dating to the sixth century BC,
but also undistinctive objects that belong to larger groups such as the Etruscan