The use of the mould for the production of this type of pottery raised its production to industrial levels. Roman ceramics, in general, and terra sigillata, in particular, are revealed to us as a highly active industry, the result of which is a very high level of production covering a wide range of typologies. The owners of the industries were usually great lords (domini) who owned large estates. These centres were run by foremen. Generally freedmen of the owner, they organised and controlled production. The workforce was mainly slave labour, with an abundance of women and children.

The study of this set of iron tools provides fundamental information for understanding the complexity of economic activity in a Late Roman villa. The villas of the Republican and High Imperial periods formed the basis of agricultural exploitation and were an essential part of supplying the cities.

The role of ceramics.

Section on writing.

On lighting control.

On the History of Coinage.