Function

 Function definitions are based on those in Evans 1993, with some adaptions for the pottery assemblages I work with in Italy and Syria.Evans, J. (1993) Pottery function and finewares in the Roman north. In Journal of Roman pottery studies 6, 95-118.

A - Transport amphorae  - Large two - handles container with rounded or pointed base, which can often be used a a handle; Table amphora - usually smaller vessel with two handles and a flat base used for transport (often of wine)
 F - Flagon - Vessels with a constricted neck, generally with height greater than twice diameter.
LAG - Lagena - A flat based vessel with a slightly pinched neck
CJ - Constricted necked jar  A jar with a pinched neck - similar to flagons and used to contain liquids
SJ - Storage jar - A thick ( greater than 100mm) walled vessel up to c. 300mm tall
P - Pthoi/ Dolia - A very large storage jar (height greater than 1m) 
J - Jar Vessels with a height of more than 2/3 of their rim diameter and less than twice their diameter
CP - Cooking Pot A jar form usually with handles and lid seating used for cooking
WMJ - Wide mouth jar. A jar with a mouth wider than its waist diameter.
BK - Beaker - Vessels with a height greater than their diameter, of a suitable size and shape for drinking.
CU - Cup - vessels with a height less than their diameter, of a suitable size and shape for drinking
TA - Tankard - Cups with a handle
M - Mortaria A large bowl with a gritted interior
BA - Basin A large thick bowl, with thickness greater than 10mm and diameter greater than 300mm
B - Bowl Vessels with a height more than1/4  and less than 2/3 of their diameter
CA - Casserole - A Bowl used for cooking usually carinated and with lid sating/ used with a lid.
D - Dish or platter Vessels with a height of less than1/4 of their diameter
FP - Frying pan - A handled dish used for direct heating cooking
L - Lid - Shallow vessels similar to dishes, but with a handle on exterior in the centre of the base
O - Other, rare,  vessels types that don't belong in the above categories. e.g. cheese presses, Face pots.