A new assemblage of painted vessels in the territory of the Arverni. Stylistic and semiological analysis of vessels with animal-style decoration of the 2nd century BC (Clermont-Ferrand, dép. Puy-de-Dôme, France)

Abstract

Together with its neighbouring territory of the Segusiavi, the territory of the Arverni is one of the main areas where animal-style painted vessels have been found. The increasing number of archaeological rescue excavations in and around the Clermont-Ferrand basin over the past 20 years has led to the discovery of around 30 such, more or less fragmentary vessels with animal-style decoration. The discovery of a new batch of painted pots with geometric and animal-style decorations during the most recent of the excavations on the site of AulnatGandaillat near Clermont-Ferrand has augmented this category of particular object. This new assemblage allows a reappraisal of the animal motif, which forms the characteristic of these products of the Middle and Late La Tène periods and enables us to consider their use in a religious environment.