This complete glass unguent bottle is a rare find, placed deliberately within the grave of a woman during the Roman period.

The vessel is made from blue/green glass, which typically dates to the 1st-3rd centuries AD. The glass is of notably good quality, containing very few bubbles. This is an indicator of skilled craftsmanship.

Its form is unusual, with a rolled rim and a tall, tapering conical body. There are no direct parallels from Roman Britain, and it does not match any of the standard vessel typologies developed across the western Roman Empire.

Although no exact parallels are known, some broadly similar conical vessels have been found on the European continent, particularly in 4th century graves. The differences in shape and finish suggest that this example may represent a distinctive local product of Roman Britain’s thriving glass blowing industry.

Taking all the evidence together, a cautious date in the 3rd century AD is suggested for this item.