Digital modeling of function and performance of transport amphorae

Abstract

In antiquity, amphorae served as standard transport containers for diverse goods. For packaging of large numbers of amphorae, the basically ovoid-shaped amphora bodies were stacked in several layers placing their pointed bases into the spaces between the shoulders of the amphorae in the respective lower layer. Thus, particularly during transport in cargo ships they had to withstand considerable mechanical loads at their contact points. This required high mechanical performance concerning the actual ceramic materials as well as the vessel design. In the present paper, the performance of different types of amphorae will be assessed. On the basis of mechanical tests of specimens of East Aegean transport amphorae of the Hellenistic and Roman Period, the material properties of the ceramics have been estimated. These properties are used in three-dimensional models, simulating the performance of different amphora types under typical loads by using the finite element method (FEM). In this way, specific design features of different vessel types can be assessed for their performance particularly during transport. On the other hand, the simulations provide information toward the interpretation of typical damages observed in archaeological finds and allow for a realistic assessment of amphora function and the risk of its failure.