INV1744_1115 Montelupo oil jars

3D Model

Hundreds of sherds of thick red ceramic were found jumbled together on the wreck site of HMS Invincible, which sank in 1758. Back in the lab, it became clear that some of the sherds fitted together and as more were joined, almost two complete jars emerged.

In the 18th century, olive oil formed part of Royal Navy rations, as it was thought to last longer at sea than butter. The Royal Navy may have been the largest single customer in Britain for imported edible oil during the 18th century. As a result, Montelupo oil jars have been found across the world, reflecting the global reach of the trade and the Navy.

As the jars were smashed up in the bilges and the Invincilbe was heading to Canada it is likley that these jar could have been left broken from a previous voyage.

Blake, H., & Hughes, M. J. (2017). The Good Woman: the provenance and purpose of Montelupo oil jars. Post-Medieval Archaeology, 51(1), 1–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/00794236.2017.1309247