terracotta amphorae, typical of the Greek and Roman era

terracotta transport amphorae
Originally uploaded by ggnyc

Large terracotta jars called amphorae were made throughout antiquity to carry liquids, principally wine and olive oil. Amphorae have a distinctive, practical shape: usually a narrow neck that could be sealed during transportation, two handles for ease of lifting and carrying, and a rounded or cylindrical body with a pointed base to allow them to be stacked in rows. Amphorae remained in use until the Middle Ages when they were replaced with skins and wooden casks.