Exploring the Importance of Portuguese Tin-Glazed Wares in Early Modern Gothenburg - An Archaeological Inquiry

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the prevalence of Portuguese tin-glazed wares within the archaeological excavations of early modern Gothenburg dated rough (1630-1700). Since 2015, a conspicuous abundance of Portuguese tin-glazed ceramics has been discerned within the archaeological assemblages of the city, a phenomenon not replicated in other urban centers across Sweden. This study elucidates this material manifestation's typological, chronological, and contextual dimensions, discussing the complex socio-economic, cultural, and symbolic implications inherent in its presence. The research considers the economic ramifications of the influx of Portuguese tin-glazed wares, considering their role in trade networks, consumption patterns, and market dynamics during the early modern period. Furthermore, it examines the social dimensions by exploring how these artefacts reflect and potentially influenced social stratification, identity construction, and domestic practices within Gothenburg society. Also, it proposes plausible explanations for the emergence and sustenance of the Portuguese connection evident in the archaeological record of the city, thereby contributing to a deeper comprehension of transnational exchanges and cultural entanglements in the early modern European context.