Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0389-1410   CAS 0389-1410; Bread cachet (food stamp)
Category Carvings; Tools & Implements
Object Name Bread cachet (food stamp)
Culture Roman
Global Region Europe
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name
Date of Manufacture 5th -7th century CE (Late Roman to Early Byzantine Empire)
Collection Name Rietz Collection of Food Technology
Materials Wood
Description Roman food stamp constructed from a single piece of wood with writing carved into the stamping surface; Likely used to stamp bread rations issued to Roman troops (Roman bakers were required to stamp their bread in order to prevent fraud and theft of imperial supplies); Normally such stamps were made of bronze, thus the fact that this one wooden with crude, difficult to read writing indicates that it was likely from a very provincial bakery.
Dimensions (cm) Thickness = 4.0, Max Diam = 6.0