The organic residues of lining in transport vessels from the Red Sea coast of Eritrea: a further element to understand past commercial relations

Abstract The archaeological site of Adulis lays on the Red Sea Coast Eritrea and during Late antiquity played a significant role in interregional commerce among Mediterranean, Indian Ocean coasts. Contacts with Eastern Arabian Peninsula Sasanian world have been attested from different classes pottery that were brought to light on-going excavations at site. Transport vessels attracted particular attention as they testify extent trades exchange networks. coated by organic materials seal porosity make them suitable transport liquids and/or food. characterisation coating helped shedding their function, support attribution found worlds. Here, lining detected set samples identified Roman Amphora 1 is discussed. Results chemical analyses, performed preliminarily FT-IR then GC–MS, revealed bitumen was used for jars, thus leading classification amphorae within wide class so- called Torpedo jars. By overcoming question typological complexity posed macroscopic examination sherds, investigation contributed here crucial information interpretation past trading Ocean. research gave clues broaden distribution jars Adulis, giving an unexpected insight into routes past.