The Colchester Vase.Photo: Colchester and Ipswich Museums.
Posted on 03/16/2025 5:12:58 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
When it emerged from the ground in 1853 at West Lodge, England, the so-called Colchester Vase was immediately deemed an important find due to its remarkable decorative relief depicting a gladiatorial battle, which dated the piece back to Roman Britain. It was also considered a cremation vessel, having been found containing human remains. But new studies have found that the jar was no ordinary grave object—it could represent the earliest form of sports memorabilia.
Conducted by researchers at the Colchester and Ipswich Museums, where the artifact is held, the latest tests reveal that the vase was crafted out of local clay around 160–200 A.D.
They also found that an inscription on the vessel, spelling the names of two gladiators featured in the frieze, was carved into the clay before the vase was fired, not afterward as previously thought. The engraving, then, was a fundamental part of the Colchester Vase's design and not added later.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.artnet.com ...
The Colchester Vase.Photo: Colchester and Ipswich Museums.
It shouldn't be displayed on the floor, someone's been using it as a wastebasket. /jk
The other GGG topics added since Firebombing of Tokyo (80 years ago today) [03/09/2025]">the previous digest ping, alpha:
They found the autographs?
If it contained human remains, why wouldn’t they imagine it might be a memorial urn for one of the displayed fighters? After all, a normal outcome might not have included the competitors going out for a drink together afterwards.
Sports memorabilia… so THATS why it says “Valantinius Wears Air Jordan Sandals”….
Potential future topics (some may have been posted from different sources):
Could very well have been, and since gladiators were slaves (by and large) the urn may have been commissioned by his owner in memoriam.
One of those usually-useless YouTube shorts about the vase.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2hUrcZddwJw
Ingredient List (with sources) included.Feeding the Army of Roman Britain | 21:15
Tasting History with Max Miller | 3.33M subscribers | 1,943,591 views | March 28, 2023
Originally purchased at the local coliseum from a guy yelling “Vino! Vino!”
Clay cup night.
Worst concession at the Coliseum. “Burial urns here! Getcher burial urns here!”
Years ago I read, I read in Tacitus that one army had to live on meat when they preferred bread products.
Thanks, SunkenCiv.
They found my vase!!!
(Pronounced vahhhhhhhz).
When they had bobblehead day at the coliseum, there was only one available, and it was the guy’s actual head. ;^)
Along those lines, I’ve often wondered why Costco has the casket sales displays right by the exit, near the tires and the snack bar and pizza takeout.
My pleasure!
Probably found a cupboard with a few dozen similar but random cups like it.
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