Samian Dish

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Life and death in Pontes, Roman Staines – a Samian dish found in a grave. A small Samian dish was unearthed in a cremation burial pit dating back to the 2nd century AD and discovered upside down over the ashes. The leaf and vine design visible on its rim is known as en-barbotine; clay slip was used to coat the object, creating the intricate design. This cremation took place at the Old Police Station in Staines, situated a short distance outside of the Roman town's boundaries, typical for adult burials. Besides this nearly flawless Samian dish, a pair of stunning enamelled brooches, a glass dish, a wine flagon and two small glass bottles were also found in the grave. Whoever was laid to rest here was deeply loved and interred with treasured objects meant for the afterlife. All these items are now on display at Spelthorne Museum. Kudos to the student volunteers from Royal Holloway College for their hard work on this exhibit.