An amphora is a jar with two vertical handles used in antiquity for the storage and transportation of foodstuffs such as wine and olive oil. Thename derives from the Greek language meaning carried on both sides although the Greeks had adopted the design from the easternMediterranean. Used by all the great trading nations from the Phoenicians to the Romans the sturdy walled amphora spread throughout theancient world and they have become an important survivor in the archaeological record providing clues as to dates of sites trade relations andeveryday diet. Evolving from the large Bronze Age pithoi vessels which the Minoans and Mycenaeans used for storage purposes the amphorabecame perhaps the most common ancient pottery shape. However the size and form had a great many variations. Amphorae could also be plaintypically when used for the transport of goods or highly decorated just as any other red figure or black figure pottery. Specific places already notedfor their pottery production such as Corinth and Attica along with famed wine producing islands like Chios Lesbos and Samos all produced distinctive amphora types. So too did colonies in the Black Sea area and Magna Graecia although some cities were happy enough to copy tried andtested designs. All amphorae were made in stages on the wheel with a period of drying between the addition of a new section. The two basic types ofamphora were the neck amphora which has the shoulder joining the neck at a sharp angle and the belly amphora which curves continuously fromneck to foot. Those vessels with broad mouths were known as either kadoi or stamnoi while the plain types for transport were referred to asamphoreus. Gradually the form of the vessel evolved to reflect its primary function as a carrier of wine and for ease of packing. The base footbecame a spike and the vessel overall became taller and slimmer. In addition during the Roman period the contents of amphorae became easilyidentifiable from the shape of the vessel in question a useful feature when stored in busy ports. Decorative amphorae with a pointed base wouldhave been kept upright in a bronze stand or deep ceramic ring. The average capacity for amphorae was twenty litres although early versions werelarger. The general size became limited by the necessity for one or two persons to easily carry the vessel and a standardisation although attemptedwas not achieved in practice until the Byzantine period. Non food contents included pitch and some were used in tombs as containers for the ashesof the deceased. The Romans used amphorae in much the same way as the Greeks but with the addition of such Roman staples as fish sauce andpreserved fruits. For this reason amphorae were sealed using clay or resin stoppers some also had a ceramic lid when used to store dry goods. Veryfew lids have survived in proportion to amphorae but those that do commonly have a single knob handle sometimes made into the shape of a fruit.Finally amphorae were used for completely unrelated purposes to their original design such as burial whole in marshy land to provide more solidfoundations for buildings and walls or in roof domes as a means to provide additional support between courses.