Ceramica miniaturistica dall’area del tempio di Asclepio a Pompei (VIII 7, 25-26)

During the excavation seasons in the area of the so-called Temple of Asclepius in Pompeii, several miniature vessels have been recovered. Few examples come from levelling deposits, while the main group have been recovered from their primary contexts, ritual deposits, where their original use and their meaning can be understood. As usual in Pompeii, the small two-handled cups (calici) are well attested, but there are also the so-called “lids”. The two types do not occur together: it would seem likely that lids were generally considered appropriate for different rituals than cups. Despite their name, the use of these clay discs, whose occurrences seem to be limited to Pompeii at present, is still unclear. The occurrences from new excavation in Pompeii VIII 7, 25-26 provide additional evidences for our understanding of the use of the miniature vessels in Pompeii in the 2nd century BC.