Roman Terracotta Transport Amphora (Dressel 35) Circa 1st–3rd century A.D. Terracotta with marine accretion; 24 in. (26 in. with stand)
This Dressel 35 amphora, with its rounded body, twin loop handles, and tapered pointed base, was a standard container in Roman maritime trade. Used primarily for transporting wine and other liquids, its pointed base allowed for efficient stacking in ship holds and easy decanting. The surviving marine encrustations attest to centuries spent underwater, likely from a shipwreck context. Vessels of this type were central to Rome’s economy, moving goods throughout the Mediterranean and connecting distant provinces to the empire’s urban markets.
