Production of ceramic building material in ancient Viminacium

Abstract

The technology of brickmaking was introduced to the area of Viminacium by the Romans. The development and growth of the urban settlement in the 1st–4th century necessitated the need for huge quantities of construction materials. Large-scale production of ceramic building materials, which are often abbreviated to CBM, is attested both by the numerous finds of the material itself, as well as traces of the manufacturing process. More than 15 kilns and several structures used in the process were discovered in the vicinity of Viminacium. Still, the subject of Viminacium CBM production has only been modestly studied. Thus, the aim of this paper is to analyse this production, namely the characteristics and organisation of its processes, based on the results of archaeological excavations and previously published research. To achieve this goal, we focused on the layout of the particular manufacturing sites, and the production process organisation, together with the necessary review of the characteristics of the found kilns and other structures used in the production process.