Pompeian millstones in France
Résumé
Pompeian millstones are known by their characteristic shape and size. They consist of an hourglass-shaped (bi-conical) upper stone (catillus) and a conical lower stone (meta). The larger models were driven by animals (hence their name, 'donkey mills') by means of fittings inserted in lugs on opposite sides of the catillus. The inclination of the grinding surfaces is very important. Recent research has proved, contrary to established assumption, that this type of mill was quite common in Narbonese Gaul. In this Roman Province, all of these mills are made of volcanic rock. The source of this volcanic rock is most likely the Italian peninsula, specifically the region of Orvieto. Although this distinctive rock was also used for other types of large (hydraulic?) millstones and small hand-operated rotary querns, it was mainly used for Pompeian millstones. Beyond southern France, no comprehensive survey of this type of mill has yet been conducted. Several are known in Amiens, Lyon, Paris, Troyes, etc. Unlike the finds from southern France, not all are of volcanic rock. Most come from excavations of urban sites. The aim of this study is to provide a first distribution of Pompeian mills across French territory. For this study, the factors taken into account are raw material, chronology, and the context of each find