This is a complete Spanish commercial container or ‘olive jar’ of middle style profile which can be dated to the 16th-18th centuries.

Commercial containers such as these were used to transport goods, including wine, olive oil, capers, lentils, olives, soap and coins, by sea. These goods were exported from Spain to its American colonies and other countries. This trade was centered around Seville as the city had obtained a trade monopoly in the very early years of the 16th century. These jars are frequent finds in Bristol, which had a thriving port

The jars would have been hermetically sealed, using a cork and wax and once emptied they could have been reused.

This jar was recovered from a well and may have been reused to lift water from the well before being accidentally lost.