ABSTRACT
How did the homogeneous archaeological pattern of terra sigillata emerge? One important facet of this question concerns how sigillata was and is constructed as a homogeneous category in practices of study. To explore this, I will first present the generally accepted definition of sigillata in (Roman) archaeological and specialist circles. We will then see what happens to sigillata when we change perspective from retrospection to a description of the everyday practices involved in its study. The last part of this chapter extends this change of perspective to a longer history of sigillata scholarship. But before embarking on this project, you can choose to read ‘a survival guide to terra sigillata’, telling you everything you need to know to make it to the end of this book without prior knowledge of Roman pottery.
