Panel 6.6 – Assemblages of Transport Amphoras: from chronology to economics and society


Organiser/Chair:

  • Mark Lawall (University of Manitoba)

Panel abstract

There is a long and important history of research centering on ceramic chronologies that gives a starring role to closed deposits. Carl Schuchhardt's 1895 publication of a mid 2nd century BC deposit on the citadel of Pergamon provided a fixed point for Rhodian amphora stamps. His interests were not limited to chronology; he also considered the intensity of Rhodian-Pergamene commerce and the reasons for stamping amphoras in the first place. Such interpretive steps, however, tend to be overshadowed by matters of chronology and typology. This session follows a current trend in Classical Archaeology towards greater interest in contexts, both for chronology and for socio-economic interpretations. Sculpture is studied not only for its style and iconography but also as objects in collections. Fine- and plain-ware pottery can reveal changing habits of dining and food preparation. Such contextual studies when brought to bear on transport amphoras can inform our understanding of trade and exchange, the economics of cult, household economies, and the intersections between these three sectors. Our understanding of commercial assemblages from shipwrecks or agora spaces might seem sufficiently fulfilled by defining contributors to a cargo or sources of imports. And yet, the markings on the jars, states of preservation, the chronological span and geographical diversity of the various types present, all help to characterize market practices. Comparisons of deposits on an inter- and intraregional basis can help define commercial practices across the Greco-Roman world. Sanctuaries also provide amphora deposits. At times, jars are explicitly marked as cult property, but often they seem more anonymous and generally related to feasting. Such remains can shed light on selectivity of consumption for specific social settings. Different cults, too, show differing intensities of amphora use. Household assemblages shed light on individual consumer behaviour. In rare instances of short occupation or sudden abandonment, the debris in and around a dwelling might be attributed to a narrow period of decision making about use of amphoras. More often, the debris might be linked only to a broader 'neighbourhood' over some decades. Amphora debris in or near households provides evidence for various economic matters including storage needs, diversity of types in comparison with commercial sites, and the domestic use of amphora marking.

 

Paper abstracts

1. Alexandra von Miller (MLU Halle Wittenberg)

Amphorae at Taxiarchis Hill, Didyma: Economy and Cult of an Archaic Sanctuary in the Light of Its Assemblage of Transport Jars
The hereby proposed paper aims at discussing the economic dimension and ritual use of the amphorae found at Taxiarchis hill, Didyma.
The majority of amphorae forms part of the diverse group of local plain and banded wares. The range of mainly Milesian amphora types shows the sanctuary as almost completely relying on the local/regional distribution and supply of goods. The sheer amount of vessels, contrary to the record e.g. at Assesos, underlines the high demand for groceries, and hence gives evidence of an intense frequency of people engaged in ritual celebrations on the site, including feasting and dining.
Apart from being used for transport into the sanctuary, the amphorae, given the lack of other large storage vessels, might also have served for storage. The smaller dimensioned table-amphorae are part of the local set of plain-and-banded tableware, instead.
Few is the evidence of specific cult-related vessels, and ritual use of jars. Unlike the evidence at the sanctuary of Aphrodite on Zeytintepe hill at Miletos or at the Heraion on Samos, where graffiti and dipinti appear quite often, only one amphora shard from Taxiarchis hill seems to have carried an inscription. Of special interest are, however, the three amphora bases with central perforations, which hint at a secondary use of these jars, probably in the context of libation rituals.

"Amphorae at Taxiarchis Hill, Didyma" (Fulltext)

 

2. Antonio Saez Romero (University of Seville)

Greek wine and Punic fish? The amphorae from a specialized tavern of the Classical period at Corinth
The so-called Punic Amphora Building at Corinth (dating mid-5th century BC) is one of the most prominent archaeological milestones of the development of the production, trade and consumption of salted fish in Classical Antiquity in the Eastern Mediterranean. The abundant fishbone remains found together with Punic transport amphorae were interpreted as the evidence of a remarkable commercial connection established between the Punic West and the Greek world as early as the 5th century BC based on the eastern demand of tuna tárichos. The information provided by Greek literary sources of the 5th c. BC support the arrival of the western fish products to Corinth, Athens and other key sites, and the continuation of the exchange until at least the last decades of the century. Mr. Williams’ first publication of the archaeological assemblage at Corinth (1977-1979) underlined the commercial role of the building, and the presence of massive quantities of Greek and Punic amphorae and the exceptionally preserved ichthyologic remains found in the pavement layers of the courtyard. A recent review of both the amphorae and the faunal material provides a more precise view of fish species and shape/size (of the tuna chunks) and also of the typological features of the Greek and Punic transport vessels found in the building. The paper will focus on this issue, providing an overview of the types and the chronological framework and as well an updated interpretation of the function of the building.

"Wine and Fish?" (Fulltext)

 

3. Yiftah Shalev (Israel Antiquities Authority) / Ayelet Gilboa (Uiversity of Haifa) / Gunnar Lehmann (Ben-Gurion University)

Aegean Amphorae in the Southern-Levant during Persian Period: A synthesis of distribution patterns
The Persian period in the Levant witnessed one of the most significant cultural, economic and political transformations the region underwent in early antiquity. Amid these changes, it’s involvement with the Mediterranean maritime trade flourished dramatically, reaching previously unattested intensity.
This paper is the first fruit of an extensive research program, the aim of which was to reexamine the distribution of transport amphorae prevalent in the Levant during the 5th-4th centuries B.C. and reassess their significance for charting cross-Mediterranean contacts.
Greek amphorae turned up in every Persian period South-Levantine coastal site: large towns and small villages, in domestic, commercial and military contexts. The most common types are the South-East Aegean and Ionian (Chios, Samos and Milethos) as well as some North-Aegean (mainly from Mandes or Thasos). Other types as Lesbian or Corinthian, that forms most common types at Aegean and western Mediterranean sites, are totally absent. Most amphorae probably reached the Levant on ships sailing from the East Aegean via the southern coast of Cyprus were similar variation of amphorae was noted. The very same route was used also to distribute Attic pottery. In Egypt on the other hand, the distribution of East Greek amphorae is different than in the Levant and in Cyprus, meaning that Egypt was connected to the East Aegean via another network.

"Aegean Amphorae in the Southern Levant during the Persian Period" (Fulltext)

 

4. Stella Demesticha (University of Cyprus)

The Mazotos Shipwreck Cargo, 4th Century BC
Seaborne trade was the backbone of the economy in the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean throughout antiquity. Written sources list a plethora of goods that were exchanged via sea routes, whereas the archaeological record from land sites has provided plenty of material evidence on these goods. There is little doubt, however, that shipwrecks represent a special kind of archaeological site, one that provides unique, direct evidence of trade mechanisms and the ancient economy.
The Mazotos Shipwreck, Cyprus, dated to the middle of 4th century BC, is one of the best-preserved wreck-sites currently under excavation in the Mediterranean. The ship carried a nearly homogeneous cargo of Chian wine amphorae, complemented by at least one type of secondary cargo comprised of jugs. Although the excavation is still in progress, over 120 Chian amphorae already recovered from different parts of the cargo have provided a statistically adequate number of vessels for quantitative and spatial analysis of the assemblage: the sizes and capacity of the amphorae, their location in the cargo and the percentages of the different subtypes. The first results of this study are presented in this paper, thus shedding new light on the role of standardization in seaborne trade mechanisms during the Classical period.

"The Mazotos Shipwreck Cargo, 4th Century BC" (Fulltext)

 

5. Konstantinos Filis (Hellenic Ministry of Culture & Sports. Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia)

Transport amphoras from domestic and workshops facilities as indicators for economic changes in the societies of NW Peloponnese from late 6th to 2nd century BC
Aigion, Rypai, Elike, Voura, Aigai, cities of the Achaean Dodecapolis and metropoleis of major colonies in Magna Graecia, such as Sybaris, Croton, Kaulonia, Metaponto, Poseidonia developed along the coastal zone of NW Peloponnese. Their participation in the colonization led to the development of commercial activity and the exchange of goods from the end of the 8th century BC. Between Trapeza and Diakopto a new coastal settlement dating from the late 6th to the 3rd century BC was discovered, with a commercial character as evidenced based on the existence of port facilities. The intensity of regional and interregional commerce is obvious by the presence of transport amphoras from the late Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods from 'Greek' and 'non-Greek' workshops, which provides evidence for various economic matters. Amphoras material from neighboring Aigion, the most important city in the region, is also considered; a strong activity of local workshops especially from the late Hellenistic period is attested here. The local amphoras resemble the products of the nearby workshops of Corinth, but also the Brindisian amphoras. The amphora production in Aigion reveals the existence of agricultural surplus and the growth of a vibrant network of trade routes that flourished after the destruction of Corinth in 146 BC. The amphoras assemblage can inform us among other for the changing economic practices in NW Peloponnese from the Late Archaic to the late Hellenistic Period.

"Transport Amphoras from Domestic and Workshops Facilities as Indicators for Economic Changes in the Societies of NW Peloponnese from Late 6th to 2nd Century BC" (Fulltext)

 

6. Gerald Finkielsztejn (Israel Antiquities Authority)

Assemblages of Amphoras in the Hellenistic Southern Levant: from chronology to economics (and History)
During the Hellenistic period, the Southern Levant imported amphoras from Rhodes, Knidos, Kos, Chios, Ephesos and the Western Coast of Asia Minor, Thasos, Brindisi and the Adriatic Coast, Sicilia, Campania, Latium, Tripolitania and North Africa, and Egypt.
The destinations were ports (Ascalon, Jaffa, Ake-Ptolemais), major cities (Marisa, Gezer, Jerusalem, Scythopolis, Samaria, Philoteria) and settlements with specific functions (Tel Emeq, Tel Keisan, Mazor, Khirbet El Eika, Tel Anafa, Tel Kedesh).
Quantities vary from over a thousand, several hundred, to fifty.
Six 2nd c. BCE sites of different sizes and types produced amphoras assemblages.
Marisa: 2 storerooms in houses, holding 47 amphoras, from 12 provenances, including 19 stamped (t. a. q. 108/7 BCE);
Jerusalem: military camp refuse, ca. 20 amphoras, 3 provenances, most stamped (132 BCE);
Scythopolis: 3 storerooms in houses, 25 amphoras, 3 provenances, 23 stamped (t. a. q. 108/7 BCE);
Mazor: redistribution center, 4 storerooms, 183 amphoras, 9 provenances, 13 stamped (t. a. q. 145/4 BCE);
El-Eika: estate storeroom, 8+ amphoras, 4 provenances, 5 stamped (t. a. q. 145/4 BCE);
Tel Kedesh: administrative building, 8 amphoras, all stamped (t. a. q. 145/4 BCE).

These contexts provide us with information on:
- Intensity and origins of trade of amphora-held products,
- Organization of the trade,
- Differences in supply (upper class vs. military),
- Chronological data for local and Historical events, supplementing or correcting literature.

 

7. Stella Skaltsa (University of Copenhagen)

The stamped amphora handles from the so-called ‘temenos of Helios’ in Rhodes: context, chronology and function
This paper aims to offer a preliminary overview of the amphora handles from a public building in the ancient city of Rhodes. Located at the eastern foot of the Acropolis along one of the main arteries of the ancient city this building is commonly known as the ‘temenos of Helios’ or the ‘clubhouse of the priests of Helios’. This identification is based on the presence of six statues of priests of Helios among a greater number of honorific statues. Not only can this identification be contested but new research on the archaeological finds from the complex, undertaken by the ‘Rhodes Centennial Project’ together with the Archaeological Service for the Dodecanese with a view to publish the material, can illuminate aspects of the function of the building. In particular, the site has yielded ca. 376 stamped amphora handles. This is an unprecedented and substantial assemblage from the city of Rhodes. The contextualization of the material helps to clarify the chronology of the building, but most importantly prompts us to raise questions about the social setting of this assemblage and how it can better inform our understanding of the use of this civic space.

"A First Overview of the Rhodian Stamped Handles from a Public Monumental Building in Rhodes" (Fulltext)

 

8. Horacio Gonzalez Cesteros (Austrian Academy of Sciences) / Hannah Liedl

Ephesus in the Julio-Claudian period. New evidences of consume, cult and exchanges from the Terrace House 2
Knowledge of pottery contexts in household levels in Hellenistic and Roman Ephesus has developed enormously since excavations in the so-called Terrace Houses. In 2004 a small excavation in Terrace House 2 was carried out. In the course of this excavation a large pit was uncovered in Residence unit 5. This closed context stands out due to its rich spectrum of well-preserved finds.
This pit is important concerning two essential aspects. It is the chronological approach to the architectural and functional changes that took place in the Terrace House 2 in the Julio-Claudian period, and the interpretation of this area’s function.
The pottery assemblage contributes to determine the exact moment of use. On the other hand, the central location of the pit and the materials used to fill it give us important clues for its understanding. In this sense, the amphorae finds form a capital contribution.
In this presentation we aim to display the amphorae material, including some almost complete pieces from a great range of geographical areas used for the transport of different commodities. Special attention will be paid to the epigraphic remains and the chronological contribution of the different types. At last we present an interpretation including other pottery remains for a better understanding of the functional character of the archaeological context, one of the most precise of Julio-Claudian Ephesus.

"Ephesus in the Julio-Claudian Period" (Fulltext)

 

9. Anna Nagy and György Szakmány (Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem)

Amphorae from Brigetio (Pannonia): Archaeology and Archaeometry
During the 1st-4th centuries AD Brigetio (modern-day Szőny) was a significant Roman town in the province of Pannonia. Legio I Adiutrix, one of the four legions in the province was stationed here. West of the legionary camp and the canabae was the civil settlement where ca. 100 amphora fragments have been unearthed. Some of them were found in closed contexts (e.g. in a cellar with a collapsed wooden ceiling).
The aim of this research was to analyse the amphorae using both archaeological methods and petrography in order to get a more precise knowledge of the commercial connections of Brigetio, exploit their historical aspects and study the population’s diet and Romanization. In course of the petrographic analyses the geology of the suggested source areas and previous archaeometric studies were taken into consideration.
Wine arrived from different regions of the Aegean in Rhodian, Dressel 2-4 and Kapitän 2 amphorae. Olive oil was imported from the Istrian peninsula in Dressel 6B amphorae, from the Aegean in Dressel 24 amphorae and from the Guadalquivir valley in Dressel 20 amphorae. Fish sauces were also consumed: Hispanian Dressel 7-11 vessels and one Knossos 26-27 amphora attest to this fact. The latter probably arrived based on an individual order. Italian olives in Schörgendorfer 558 amphorae and probably levantine figs and dates stored in Carrot amphorae were also demanded. The majority of the inhabitants of Brigetio considered these goods exotic and didn't change their diet.