Phoenician Amphora

The Phoenicians, as a sailing and trading people, needed adequate vessels for transport and storage in long journeys by sea and land, and for the preservation of products, such as oil, wine, wheat and salted fish. These types of amphorae, which archaeologists know as R-1, among others, were one of the most widespread among the Phoenicians of the Far East from the 8th to the 6th century BC. Their characteristic ovoid body of large capacity, their parabolic base suited to irregular surfaces and their small but strong handles were the reasons for their popularity. Their widespread distribution throughout Andalucía, Extremadura, the Eastern coast, including Cataluña and the North of Africa shows the strength of Phoenician trade in these areas, the bay of Cádiz being one of its main nucleus.