ScienceAugust 13, 2026

amphorae

AM-fuh-ree

Definition

Tall, two-handled ceramic containers used in ancient times for the transport and storage of goods like wine or oil.

Etymology

Derived from the Ancient Greek word 'amphoreus', a compound of 'amphi' (on both sides) and 'pherein' (to carry), referencing the two handles on opposite sides of the vessel.

In the news

The article describes a 'field' of these vessels found at a shipwreck site, which helps archaeologists date the wreckage and understand ancient Roman trade.

Off the coast of Sicily this month, a fisherman named Giacomo De Mola noticed something odd on his sonar and dove in anyway — what he found was a Roman merchant ship, undisturbed on the seafloor for more than two thousand years, dating to a period w

Read the full article ↗

ScienceBlog.com

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