Les grandes jarres et conteneurs de transport dans les places portugaises du détroit de Gibraltar (XVe-XVIe siècles)

Abstract

The Gibraltar Strait has always been a crossroad for the maritime traffic. The Portuguese were able to establish their presence on its south shore by occupying Ceuta, Qsar es-Seghir and Tangier. From the beginning, with no regular connection with its hinterland, the supply of these cities was a problematic issue in need to be sorted out. This situation forced the Portuguese to strengthen their relations with the southern Iberian Peninsula, enabling the systematic supply of everyday life products, like for instance ceramic utensils.The archaeological data we use here refers to ceramics from the second half of the 15th century to the first half of the 16th century. They come from the city of Ceuta, from the archaeological work in the valorisation project of the Portuguese Royal Walls, and especially from Qsar es-Seghir archaeological site and its excavation surveys between 1974 and 1981. This study of large jars and containers from the Portuguese period in these two sites allows us an archaeological perspective on the geography of the supply system and the daily life of the Portuguese fortresses in North Africa during these centuries.