Overall coordination:   Graça Filipe, Jorge Raposo and Luís Raposo

 Museological programme, research and texts: Jorge Raposo, Carlos Fabião and João Almeida

 The core objective of the "Quinta do Rouxinol: Roman Pottery on the Tagus Estuary" exhibition program is to present the archaeological site within its prevailing framework, made up of both the local economy and the Roman Empire. This serves to develop its potential as a means of conveying knowledge around the theme of ceramics production centres of that era. 

 In accordance with the preferred target market, the museographic project adopted an appropriately didactic discourse, based both on the Seixal Municipal Ecomuseum collection and on graphical and audiovisual means of depicting local ceramic production and the materials imported. There was also the concern to take an integrated approach to the operational chain of activities in effect for Roman period pottery production before incorporating an ethno-archaeological comparison with the realities of traditional Portuguese pottery.

 Quinta do Rouxinol (Corroios, Seixal) is the location of Roman period pottery kilns, first discovered in 1986. It has been possible to preserve and study part of two ovens that since the late 2nd century through to the early decades of the 5th century produced kitchenware and tableware as well as amphoras designed for the storage and transport of preserved fish products and probably wine. There are also remains of a third oven and an additional small combustion structure. The occasional production of lamps is also probable given the recovery of clay moulds.

 Two large pits were found packed full of broken pieces or those rejected during the production process. These abundant and diversified finds well illustrate the role pottery played in catering for the needs of local populations and of Olisipo (modern Lisbon), at the same time satisfying the storage needs for processing centres across the region.

 This exhibition seeks to promote the site and trace its context within the regional and imperial economic framework of the Roman period.

Seixal Municipal Ecomuseum


The exhibition