{"product_id":"roman-pottery-syrinx","title":"Roman Pottery Syrinx from Shakenoak Farm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInspired by a Rare Roman Shepherd's Pan Pipes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis handcrafted museum quality replica is inspired by one of the most unusual Roman ceramic artefacts ever discovered in Britain, a \u003cstrong\u003epottery syrinx\u003c\/strong\u003e, or pan pipe, excavated at \u003cstrong\u003eShakenoak Farm in Oxfordshire\u003c\/strong\u003e. Dating to around \u003cstrong\u003eAD 200\u003c\/strong\u003e, the original was recovered from the remains of a Roman farming settlement that later developed into a small Saxon village.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile depictions of pan pipes are relatively common in Roman art, surviving examples of the instruments themselves are \u003cstrong\u003eexceptionally rare\u003c\/strong\u003e. Even today, only a handful of examples are known. When the Shakenoak syrinx was first published, it was believed to be only the \u003cstrong\u003efifth known example discovered north of the Alps\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it a truly remarkable archaeological find.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe settlement at Shakenoak Farm was primarily engaged in \u003cstrong\u003emixed farming\u003c\/strong\u003e, and archaeologists have suggested that the syrinx may have belonged to a shepherd tending flocks in the surrounding countryside. The gentle, haunting notes of a pan pipe would have carried across fields and pastures, serving both as entertainment and perhaps as a practical aid in managing livestock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdding a deeply human dimension to the story are two names scratched into the original instrument: \u003cstrong\u003eCATAVACVS\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eBELLICINUS\u003c\/strong\u003e. Interestingly, the first letter of CATAVACVS appears to have been rather hastily inscribed. In photographs and archaeological illustrations, the letter C has a trailing stroke that can make it resemble an S to the modern eye. Such small imperfections remind us that this was not a ceremonial object created for display, but a personal possession handled and used by real people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNearly eighteen centuries after these names were scratched into the clay, we can only speculate about who these individuals were. Were they the owners of the instrument? Fellow shepherds? Friends passing the time with music after a day's work? Whatever their relationship, these simple inscriptions provide a \u003cstrong\u003erare and personal connection\u003c\/strong\u003e to the people who once lived and worked in Roman Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original syrinx was fashioned from fired clay and contained \u003cstrong\u003eseven or possibly eight pipes\u003c\/strong\u003e, numbers commonly associated with ancient pan pipes. Its discovery reminds us that music was woven into everyday life in the Roman world, accompanying \u003cstrong\u003ework, leisure and ritual alike\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, this remarkable object offers a glimpse into a side of Roman Britain that is often overlooked. Beyond forts, emperors and military campaigns were ordinary people who worked the land, tended animals, shared stories and made music. Through objects such as this, their voices can still be heard across the centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"391\" height=\"695\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tK4RNm_M6v0\" title=\"The Sound of Roman Britain? Ancient Syrinx (Pan Pipes) Recreated After 1,800 Years\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEarthenware terracotta\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApprox. 125 mm length\u003cbr\u003eApprox. 100 mm width \u003cbr\u003eApprox. 27 mm depth\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach syrinx is \u003cstrong\u003ehandmade in Northumberland\u003c\/strong\u003e by Potted History using \u003cstrong\u003etraditional Roman-style methods\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSculpted and finished by hand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFired to temperatures between \u003cstrong\u003e800°C and 1000°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatural surface variations give each syrinx its own character\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHealth \u0026amp; Safety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong\u003eMuseum Quality Replica\u003c\/strong\u003e intended primarily for display, educational use and experimental archaeology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor hygiene reasons, we recommend that you \u003cstrong\u003edo not share your syrinx with others\u003c\/strong\u003e. As with the original, the porous ceramic surface can harbour bacteria and other germs. The mouthpiece should be cleaned thoroughly after use to minimise the build-up of contaminants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile this syrinx has been carefully crafted to reflect the original Roman artefact, its ability to produce beautiful music will depend as much upon the \u003cstrong\u003eskill of the musician\u003c\/strong\u003e as upon the instrument itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandle with care, as ceramic objects may break if dropped or subjected to impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrdering Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Add to Basket' Items\u003c\/strong\u003e: Ready to ship immediately.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Pre-order' Items\u003c\/strong\u003e: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders).\u003cbr\u003eIf your order contains both items, they will be shipped together once all are ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll items are sent via \u003cstrong\u003esecond-class postal service\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eIf you require \u003cstrong\u003efirst-class shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e, please contact us for a quote.\u003cbr\u003eItems are \u003cstrong\u003ecarefully packaged\u003c\/strong\u003e to ensure they arrive safely and in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBring the soundscape of Roman Britain into your collection and connect with the shepherds, farmers and musicians who once walked the fields of Oxfordshire nearly two thousand years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PottedHistory","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56605951492480,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0065\/6388\/9250\/files\/Syrinx_4.jpg?v=1781693640","url":"https:\/\/potted-history.co.uk\/products\/roman-pottery-syrinx","provider":"PottedHistory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}