The use and distribution of Roman glass at the villa site of San Felice, during pre- and post-imperial occupation

Abstract

The Roman villa at San Felice in southern Italy was inhabited during three distinct phases of occupation. The villa began its life as a privately-owned residence but became property of the imperial fiscus and underwent extensive renovations. The use and distribution of glass in the large peristyle villa is examined using material-culture dynamics, qualitative, and quantitative methods in conjunction with an overview of the role glass played in everyday life from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE. The glass fragments recovered during excavation were entered in an electronic database and used to create spatial distribution maps and tables to show how glass use changed over time and discern their possible function. During the occupation of the villa, glassmaking in the Roman period was becoming more advanced with new technological innovations which allowed glass vessels to be easily mass produced. The villa at San Felice was located close to the presumed course of the Via Appia, permitting regional trade and access to glass vessels.