Iván González Tobar’s monograph, derived from his doctoral thesis and published as part of the Universitat de Barcelona’s ‘Instrumenta’ series, presents a comprehensive archaeological and epigraphic study of Roman olive oil amphora production in the conventus Cordubensis, within the province of Baetica. This research is embedded within the Franco-Spanish Oleastro project, which between 2016 and 2019 sought systematically to investigate the ceramic industry of the Guadalquivir and Genil Valleys focusing on three key regions: the conventus Hispalensis, Astigitanus and Cordubensis.
The study is framed by a detailed historiographical review, tracing the evolution of research from the nineteenth century to the present and highlighting the pioneering works of scholars such as Bonsor, Ponsich, Chic, Remesal, Berni and Moros. G.T. emphasises the integration of innovative methodologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), systematic field surveys and advanced archaeological techniques. The research strategy involved three main objectives: revisiting previously identified workshops, surveying adjacent sites within 1 km of the Guadalquivir riverbank and systematic prospection of specific areas of interest. Fieldwork was conducted over four campaigns (2016–2017), with teams of 4–6 people adapting their schedule to the agricultural cycle for optimal ground visibility. Each site was delimited using GPS, and surface finds were collected and analysed without prior selection, enabling statistical analysis of ceramic forms and production debris.
The study underscores the importance of the Guadalquivir’s geography and navigability in determining workshop locations. Amphora kilns were strategically placed on natural terraces near the river, giving access to both sources of clay and easy transport, despite the risks of flooding and erosion. The maintenance of riverbanks, often under Roman state jurisdiction, is discussed as a factor influencing the longevity and productivity of these sites.
A core contribution of G.T.’s work is the exhaustive catalogue of thirty confirmed amphora production sites, each accompanied by a detailed corpus of amphora stamps. The research analyses 2,076 stamps, of which 1,712 are unpublished, representing a significant expansion of the regional epigraphic record. This has led to the correction of 36 previous readings and the addition of 244 new ones, refining the chronology and typology of production centres. Workshops are classified as ‘secure’, ‘potential’, or ‘uncertain’, based on the strength of archaeological evidence. The study explores the relationship between workshop size (notably those exceeding 0.5 ha) and their productive longevity, noting that larger workshops tended to have longer and more substantial production histories.
The epigraphic evidence reveals a wealth of toponyms, allowing precise localisation of Roman figlinae (potteries) and the identification of founding individuals whose names persisted in local land registries. The evolution of stamping systems reflects changes in ownership, management and workshop organisation over generations. Amphora stamps functioned as concise factory records, potentially including information on owners, lessees, managers and workshop heads, thus offering insights into the social hierarchy and economic networks underpinning production. The study also highlights the role of municipal elites and the Roman state in the production and distribution of Baetican olive oil. The state exercised significant control and fiscal oversight, becoming the primary client and consumer of Baetican oil, which was exported on a large scale. The involvement of local and senatorial elites in both oil and amphora production is emphasised, revealing a complex and hierarchical system of landownership and resource management.
The technical evolution of Baetican amphorae is traced from early ovoid forms to the standardised globular Dressel 20 type, introduced under Tiberius. The Dressel 20’s efficient design facilitated mass production and long-distance transport, with strict adherence to metrological and morphological standards. The earliest evidence of amphora production comes from the Fuente de los Peces site, dating from 20 b.c.e. to 20 c.e., which yielded crucial data on early manufacturing practices and the initial use of systematic stamping. G.T. attempts a quantitative analysis of oil production and export flows based on surface sampling, proposing hypotheses for estimating the scale of trade — a topic that remains underexplored in the field. The research confirms the Corduba region as a major centre for amphora production and early participation in state-directed commerce. The production of amphorae at the Conventus Cordubensis gradually increased until reaching its peak in the period 110–150 c.e., and then gradually decreased until the end of the production of the Dressel 20 towards the end of the third century, mirroring broader political and economic shifts in the Roman Empire.
G.T.’s interdisciplinary methodology, combining field archaeology, epigraphy and environmental analysis, has enabled a more nuanced understanding of production organisation and regional economic dynamics. The expanded epigraphic corpus has refined the identification and chronology of production sites, offering new perspectives on the social structure and economic strategies of Roman Baetica. Ultimately, this work provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the region’s role in the imperial economy, particularly regarding olive-oil production and trade, and represents a significant advance in the study of Roman provincial industries.
