Kaolin clay pottery discovered in the Roman city of Romula (Olt County, Romania)

•Roman kaolin vessels (2nd, 3rd AD) found in Romula, Dacia Inferior were studied.•Samples were characterised by archaeological and physical-chemical methods.•Results were compared with reported data from Moesia Inferior/Superior and Thracia.•Analysis suggests that the kaolin ware from Romula is locally produced. Pottery vessels made of kaolin clay from the Roman Period (2nd, 3rd centuries CE) found in Romula (Reșca village, Olt County, Romania) from Dacia Inferior (Malvensis) were investigated by petrographic, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, thermal analysis, electron microscopy, and mechanical tests. Our results are compared with available data on kaolin clays and pottery vessels from other sites located along the lower course of Danube river and near the Black Sea, namely in Moesia Superior, Moesia Inferior, and Thracia. Archeological and geographical contexts are addressed. Results of our analysis suggest a local production of ceramics in Romula, by using raw materials from the north of Lower Danube, in opposition to the idea that kaolin ware was imported from the provinces south of the Danube.