The work of John Allan on trade and ceramics in SW England is very
sophisticated. However, it is important to remember that studying
ceramic distributions tells you about trade in ceramics not necessarily
other goods. See comments by myself (Courtney 1997) and John Allan on
the medieval trade in Saintonge ware and its relation to the Gascon wine
trade. Most ceramics were bulky, low cost items and their trade patterns
differ from high cost per weight trade goods. Figures from c16 England
suggest water transport was 1/12 the cost of land transport while sea
going transport was even cheaper. German stoneware mugs in 15th century
England were taking advantage of cheap water transport and economies of
scale were cheaper than locally produced pots or wooden cups.


Allan, J.P. 1983, `The importation of pottery to south-west England,
c.1200-1500' in P. Davey and R. Hodges (eds.), Ceramics and Trade: the
production and distribution of later medieval pottery in north-west
Europe. Sheffield.
Allan, J.P. 1984, Medieval and Post-Medieval Finds from Exeter,
1971-1980. Exeter.
Allan. J.P. 1994, `Imported pottery in south-west England, c.1350-1550',
Med Ceramics 18, 45-50.
Courtney, P. 1997, ‘Ceramics and the history of consumption: pitfalls
and prospects, Medieval Ceramics 21, 95-108

In message <[log in to unmask]>, Todd Girdler
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>Apologies for cross postings.
>
>I'm recently starting my honours thesis, and I'm looking for examples of
>cases where recovered artefacts from a site or area can be directly linked
>to trading patterns. My thesis lies along the question of whether the
>evolution and constant change of trading patterns can be represented in the
>remaining material culture, and indeed can be traced from origin to final
>destination, and if changes in economic circumstances in these trading
>patterns can correspond with the economic climate at that time. Although my
>area is currently limited to the Murray Darling river trade in Australia,
>I'm looking for any relevant global case studies that might assist in my
>conclusions. Any assistance in tracking down such case studies would be
>emmensely helpful.
>
>Todd Girdler
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

--
paul courtney