Lateinische Inschriften auf merowingerzeitlichen Keramikgefäßen

Studien zum Schriftgebrauch im Merowingerreich

Abstract

Latin Inscriptions on Merovingian Period Pottery. Studies on the Use of Writing in the Merovingian Kingdom
In the area north and northeast of Paris, ceramic vessels were decorated with inscriptions by means of roller stamps between c. AD 530 and 630. This decoration technique allows the uniform decoration of large series of vessels, so that a far more extensive occurrence of »inscribed« biconical beakers can be assumed. The short inscriptions mention Christian contents as well as the names of manufacturers or patrons. Most of the letters are framed by equal-armed crosses. The space in which they appear is only relatively loosely integrated into ecclesiastical structures in the 6th century. We assume that the vessels with inscriptions were a continuation of Late Antique practices and that the beakers were used to disseminate and visualise the new common religious superstructure. The few Merovingian vessels with individual, incised graffiti are imitations of the vessels with roller stamped decoration that may have been distributed at festivals.