LRCW 4 Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry

LRCW 4 Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean Archaeology and archaeometry

The Mediterranean: a market without frontiers

Edited by Natalia Poulou-Papadimitriou, Eleni Nodarou and Vassilis Kilikoglou

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LRCW 4 Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean: Archaeology and archaeometry. The Mediterranean: a market without frontiers. Volume I.

Cover illustration: Early Byzantine amphora from Pseira, Crete (photo by C. Papanikolopoulos; graphic design by K. Peppas).

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The current BAR catalogue with details of all titles in print, prices and means of payment is available free from Hadrian Books or may be downloaded from www.archaeopress.com LOCAL COARSE WARES FROM LATE ROMAN ITANOS (EAST CRETE)

MARIA XANTHOPOULOU1, ELENI NODAROU2, NATALIA POULOU-PAPADIMITRIOU3

1University of Peloponnese, Department of History Archaeology and Cultural Resources Management, Palaio Stratopedo, Kalamata 24100, Greece; [email protected] 2INSTAP Study Center for East Crete, Pacheia Ammos, 72200 Ierapetra, Crete, Greece; [email protected] 3Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Archaeology, Thessaloniki 54006, Greece; [email protected]

Recent excavations at Basilica A and the housing complex of ancient Itanos (East Crete) revealed an important assemblage of late Roman pottery ranging from the 4th to the late 7th/early 8th centuries AD. This paper addresses the question of locally produced plain and coarse wares, and presents four fabric groups of possibly local origin and their corresponding late Roman ceramic series.

KEYWORDS: CRETE (EAST), ITANOS, LOCAL PRODUCTION, HANDMADE POTTERY, TABLEWARES, PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

disuse. The houses form two distinct groups, separated by Located near the northern tip of Crete’s east coast, a street, which was later blocked. Also reopened in 1995- between Cape Samonium and the major Greek and 1998, Basilica A counts four construction phases, all of Roman sanctuary of Diktaian Zeus at Palaikastro, Itanos which date from the 5th to the mid-7th centuries AD (for was a hub in the principal maritime thoroughfare a preliminary report on the housing complex stratigraphy connecting the Aegean, the Black Sea, and (from the 4th see Carando and Xanthopoulou 2006; for an overview of century AD) the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, late Roman/early Byzantine Itanos see Tsigonaki 2009). with Egypt. The city sprawled over and between three hills, covering an area of approximately 40 hectares Excavation at Basilica A and the late Roman houses (intra muros). The houses and, probably, the agora lay yielded vast amounts of stratified late Roman ceramic between the east and west acropoleis with their religious material, including an entire storeroom filled with monuments. The city’s fortification wall lines the brow of amphorae broken in situ, ranging from the 4th to the late the south hill, which separates the site from the Vai palm 7th/early 8th centuries AD (for preliminary reports on the grove. Its only identified cemetery lies directly to the late Roman pottery from ancient Itanos see Greco et al. north. The entire peninsula north of Palaikastro was part 1999, 527-529; Xanthopoulou 2006). The late Roman of the city’s territory, which bordered with that of the city pottery from Itanos is the only systematically excavated of Praisos and, later, Hierapytna in the south. late Roman ceramic material from East Crete. Still in the process of study, this important material is extremely The site was investigated in the late 19th and mid 20th varied as regards to wares and shapes. It includes most centuries by French archaeologists, who revealed two categories of the tablewares, amphorae, and cooking large Christian basilicas (Basilicas A and B) and a small wares that circulated in the Eastern Mediterranean from circular Christian building, several houses (Classical to the 4th to the late 7th/early 8th centuries AD, as well as late Roman), and the Hellenistic cemetery. Scant an extensive range of locally and regionally produced excavation reports dealt with epigraphic material, as the wares. This variety is expected as Crete’s location on the imposing late Roman structures were deemed main Mediterranean thoroughfares allowed for lively insignificant for archaeologists interested mainly in commercial activity well into the early 8th century Bronze Age remains. Recent excavations by the École despite the Arab threat (Arab sources speak of the first Française d’Athènes and the Institute of Mediterranean Arab attack on Crete in 654, see Tsougarakis 1988, 22- Studies (1995-1998) focused on the structures already 23). excavated but left unpublished (Greco et al. 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998). Excavations and coring in the late Roman/ At an early stage in the study of this ceramic material, we early Byzantine residential district located at the foot of attempted a first series of petrographic analyses focusing the ‘East Acropolis’ (Fig. 1), first revealed in 1950 and on the late Roman coarse wares. Over one hundred reopened/extended in 1995-1998, provided evidence for samples were thus selected and analyzed as part of the five main occupation phases dating from the Geometric Pythagoras II Research Project entitled “Transport Jars period to the late 7th century AD. An archaeological and and Maritime Commercial Routes in the Aegean in the topographical hiatus in the occupation pattern occurred 5th-9th Centuries AD”. Funded by the EU and the after the 3rd century AD (as suggested by a coin of Research Committee of the Aristotle University of Gordian III of AD 240). Two houses dating from the 5th Thessaloniki, and directed by Professor Natalia Poulou- to the 7th centuries AD belong to the settlement’s last Papadimitriou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), the occupation phase. These were built over abandoned project placed particular focus on the petrographic structures and encroach on a street that had fallen into analysis of ceramic material from the Cretan sites of

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Itanos, Pseira, Gortyn, and Eleutherna. The analyses were side-by-side inside a small room. Fragments of at least carried out by Dr. Eleni Nodarou at the W. A. McDonald three other similar vessels were found in the fill over the Laboratory (INSTAP Study Centre for East Crete) and room’s floor level. The context is dated to the late 6th – provided the core of the first ever data base of late early 7th century on the basis of the fine pottery (PRS Roman fabrics from Crete. 10A/C; imitation ARS 87/109 similar to Bonifay 2004, 186, fig. 99, n. 6). The selection analyzed came from the partially excavated housing complex located at the foot of the ‘East Acropolis’. It consisted primarily of amphorae, including The small, highly homogenous Fabric Group B (Fig. 2c) several easily identifiable international types (LRA1, is very close to Fabric Group A. It is a semi-coarse, non- LRA2, LRA4, Cretan), but also domestic shapes such as calcareous, red-firing fabric with frequent fine to large jugs, basins, cooking vessels, and pithoid vessels. Our inclusions and a fine, light brown slip. Under aim was to identify imported wares and local pottery petrographic microscope the colour of the matrix is red- groups particularly among the domestic shapes and brown and optically inactive. The non-plastic inclusions storage jars. Eight preliminary groups were thus consist of quartz, quartzite, chert, and sandstone. In terms established according to the mineralogical composition of composition this group seems to represent an alluvial and the texture of the examined samples. However, only raw material. There is nothing to suggest a non-local a small part of the selection was attributed to these provenance. The vessels represented are jugs and basins. groups, the non-grouped material consisting primarily of loners. Petrographic analysis identified four highly homogeneous, possibly local fabric groups. The geology Fabric Group C (Fig. 2d) is a fine calcareous fabric that of the area consists of an alluvial plain, as well as outcrops of the Phyllite-Quartzite series (I.G.M.E. 1959). is possibly over-fired, hence the macroscopically Sandstones, conglomerate, and remnants of igneous rocks distinctive almond green to apple green hue. Macroscopically it contains numerous fine to medium- occur within the phyllite series. The alluvium seems to be receiving materials from the phyllites as well as the sized black and white inclusions. Observation under Miocene marls. The local component is best represented petrographic microscope shows that the matrix has a green colour and is optically inactive. Non-plastic by Fabric Groups A and B. inclusions include quartz, dark siltstone, micrite, chert, quartzite, and rare plagioclase feldspar. This rock and mineral suite is compatible with a local provenance. A Fabric Group A (Fig. 2a-b) is a semi-coarse, non- similar but coarser fabric has been encountered in the calcareous, red-firing fabric. The matrix colour is orange assemblage from Pseira. to red brown, and is optically active. There are few non- plastic components, such as quartz, quartzite, rounded The vessels represented are tablewares, mainly jugs and fragments of micrite, sandstone, and rare phyllite and basins. The former have a finer, rather soft fabric and are mica schist. The rock and mineral suite is compatible thin-walled with a thin, flaky slip. One features groups of with a red alluvial deposit, possibly the one close to the finely incised wavy lines on the shoulder (Fig. 5). The site. Macroscopically this fabric is semi-coarse, red- basins belong to a type that is particularly common at brown with black core, frequent chaff, and few black and Itanos, with a fairly shallow conical body, flat base, and white inclusions. The exterior is rough, the interior has a broad oblique rim decorated with a single groove near the thin, dull brown coat. With its abundance of organic edge (rim diam. 40cm) (Fig. 6). Basins of this type occur material, Fabric Group A seems to reflect a recipe for at Itanos in several semi-coarse fabrics throughout the large handmade vessels. late Roman period. The analyzed specimen comes from a 4th century context containing several fragments of ARS Fabric Group A is represented by a series of large vessels form 50. that are shaped like conical or globular basins or vats, but are open at the top and bottom (Figs. 3-4). The vessels are handmade and under-fired, and their sizes vary between (a) 45-50cm to (b) 54-57cm to (c) 60-65cm in Fabric Group D (Fig. 2e-f) is a semi coarse, non- calcareous, red-firing fabric with a pimply surface, diameter and 55-78.5cm in height. They have either slightly convex or more or less straight walls that taper frequent fine to large white inclusions, some black towards the bottom or top, a triangular or square- inclusions, and dark red clay pellets. Under petrographic microscope, the colour of the matrix is dark reddish sectioned rim at the top, and a simple flat or rounded rim at the bottom. Each has a hole (diam. 4.2-5.3cm) or cut brown and optically active. The main non-plastic out spout (4.5-5 x 5.5-7cm) near or on the lower rim. The components are metamorphic rock fragments, mainly use of these vessels is uncertain. They could not have phyllite, some quartzite and quartz. The source of the raw contained foodstuffs since they lack a base, but may have material must have been an alluvial deposit. There is nothing to suggest a non-local provenance. been used for food preparation or some industrial activity. The placement of the holes suggests that The vessels represented are a large bowl and three whatever was contained inside could be allowed to seep cooking pots. The bowl (rim diam. 40cm) with its out or cleared though the narrow lower opening. No shallow body, broad, flat base, and convex walls traces of any substance or burning are visible on the decorated with three deep horizontal grooves directly interior. Two of these vessels were found in situ, standing

812 XANTHOPOULOU -NODAROU -POULOU-PAPADIMITRIOU below the plain, rounded rim is a rather crude version of a opening. Rough exterior. Coarse fabric, red-brown with particularly common bowl type, which occurs at Itanos in black core, frequent chaff, and few black and white a variety of semi-coarse and fine fabrics until the 7th inclusions (quartz, quartzite, rounded fragments of century included (Fig. 7a). The analyzed specimen comes micrite, sandstone, rare phyllite and mica schist). from a 4th or 5th century (?) context, in which the latest 4. ITA97.2181.38b. Fig. 5. Max. pres. body diam. 17.2; fine wares are several fragments of ARS 50. The shape neck diam. 5.5-6; max. pres. H. 14.5. Part of rim, neck, seems to be absent from other published Cretan handle, and body preserved. Jug with triangular rim assemblages (Gortyn, Knossos, Agia Galini, Eleutherna). (spout not preserved), cylindrical neck, rounded soulder, Two of the analyzed cooking pots present a ‘rolled’ rim, thick handle of roughly triangular section beginning at globular body, and rounded handles with a circular or rim and ending just above base of shoulder. Two groups oval section, a type particularly common at Itanos, which of incised, overlapping wavy lines on shoulder and body. also occurs in imported fabrics. The third, better- Fine calcareous fabric, rather soft and brittle, with preserved cooking pot (Fig. 7b) belongs to a more frequent fine inclusions (quartz, dark siltstone, micrite, unusual type, with a short neck and triangular rim. All of chert, quartzite, rare plagioclase feldspar), over-fired the cooking pots come from deposits dated to the early- apple green throughout. Thin, flaky slip, same colour as mid 7th century on the basis of the fine wares (PRS 10C, fabric. ARS 105A and 105B similar to Bonifay 2004, 184, fig. 5. ITA97.2190.30. Fig. 6. Rim. diam. uncertain. Rim 184, n. 6 and 11). The homogeneity of the fabric is fragment, beginning of body preserved. Basin with indicative of a clay paste used almost exclusively for oblique rim marked by horizontal groove near edge, cooking wares. incurved body. Semi-coarse calcareous fabric, hard, yellowish-red to green from over-firing, very frequent fine to medium-sized inclusions (quartz, dark siltstone, The results presented here are preliminary. Apart from micrite, chert, quartzite, rare plagioclase feldspar). the large handmade vessels belonging to Fabric Group A, which, as one would expect, were most probably locally 6. ITA97.2190.23. Fig. 7a. Max. pres. H. 4.5; rim diam. manufactured, other local forms are more difficult to 25.8. Fragment of rim and body. Shallow, thick-walled identify at this point. Further petrographic analyses on bowl with plain, rounded rim, and rounded, incurved samples selected after the typological study of the pottery body. Three horizontal grooves bellow rim. Fairly coarse, is completed will allow the association of specific forms hard-fired fabric, dull red throughout, with pimply to local fabrics and the identification of local imitations surface and irregular section, containing large white and of the imported wares that appear to make up the majority black inclusions (metamorphic rock fragments including of the Itanos ceramic material. phyllite, some quartzite and quartz) and dark red clay pellets.

7. ITA97.2181.11. Fig. 7b. Max. pres. H. 19; max. body Catalogue diam. 25.5. Eighteen fragments (ten joining) of rim, neck, 1. ITA97.2174.01. Fig. 4a. H. 78.5cm; rim diam. 68cm; and body preserved. Cooking pot with globular body, base diam. 54cm; max. body diam. 74cm; diam. of hole short cylindrical neck with horizontal ridge, and 6.6cm. Large vat open at top and bottom. Ovoid body triangular rim with flat upper surface. A ridge marks the with largest diam. at shoulder, rounded upper rim, join between neck and body. Trace of handle attachment coarsely formed (cut with knife?) lower rim, large hole on rim. Fairly coarse, hard-fired fabric, brick red cut approx. 5cm above lower rim. Rough exterior. Fairly throughout, with pimply surface and irregular section, coarse fabric, red-brown with black core, frequent chaff, containing large white and black inclusions (metamorphic and few black and white inclusions (quartz, quartzite, rock fragments including phyllite, some quartzite and rounded fragments of micrite, sandstone, rare phyllite and quartz) and dark red clay pellets. mica schist). Thin brown coat on interior.

2. ITA97.2166.13. Fig. 4b. H. 56cm; rim. diam. 52cm; Bibliography base diam. 45.5cm; approx. max. body diam. 53.5cm; diam. of hole approx. 5cm. Large vat open at top and Bonifay, M. 2004. Études sur la céramique romaine bottom. Ovoid body with largest diam. possibly near mid- tardive d’Afrique. British Archaeological Reports, height, squared upper rim, coarsely formed lower rim, International Series 1301. Oxford, Archaeopress. large hole cut approx. 3cm above lower rim. Rough Carando, E. and Xanthopoulou, M. 2006. Itanos. Ricente exterior. Fairly coarse fabric, red-brown with black core, ricerche nell’ abitato. In Acts of the 9th International frequent chaff, and few black and white inclusions Cretological Congress, Elounda, 1-6 October 2001, (quartz, quartzite, rounded fragments of micrite, vol. A5, 333-345. Herakleion, Εταιρεία Κρητικών sandstone, rare phyllite and mica schist). Ερευνών. 3. ITA97.2173.01. Fig. 3c, 4c. H. 55.2cm; rim diam. Greco, E., Kalpaxis, Th., Schnapp, A., and Viviers, D. 52cm; base diam. 41cm; opening 6x6cm. Large vat open 1995. Itanos (Crète orientale). Bulletin de at top and bottom. Conical body flaring towards bottom, Correspondance Hellénique 119, II, 713-736. triangular upper rim, plain lower rim with roughly cutout

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Greco, E., Kalpaxis, Th., Schnapp, A., and Viviers, D. πρωτοβυζαντινή περίοδο. In O. Gratziou and Chr. 1996. Itanos (Crète orientale). Bulletin de Loukos (eds.), Ψηφίδες. Μελέτες Ιστορίας, Correspondance Hellénique, 120, II, 941-952. Αρχαιολογίας και Τέχνης στη Μνήμη της Στέλλας Παπαδάκη-Oekland, 159-174. Herakleion, Crete Greco, E., Kalpaxis, Th., Schnapp, A., and Viviers, D. University Press. 1997. Itanos (Crète orientale). Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique 121, II, 809-824. Tsougarakis, D. 1988. Byzantine Crete. From the 5th century to the Venetian Conquest, Historical Greco, E., Kalpaxis, Th., Schnapp, A., and Viviers, D. Monographs 4. Athens, Historical Publications, St. D. 1998. Itanos (Crète orientale). Bulletin de Basilopoulos. Correspondance Hellénique 122, II, 585-602. Xanthopoulou, M. 2004. Παλαιοχριστιανική κεραμική I.G.M.E. 1959 = Institute of Geology and Mineral της αρχαίας Ιτάνου. In A. Di Vita (ed.), Creta romana Exploration (Greece), Geological map of Greece, e protobizantina, Congresso Internazionale Sitia Sheet, 1:50 000. Athens. organizzato dalla Scuola Archeologica Italiana di Tsigonaki, Chr. 2009. Ίτανος. Ιστορία και τοπογραφία Atene, Iraklion 23-30 settembre 2000, 1013-1028. μιας παράκτιας θέσης της ανατολικής Κρήτης κατά την Padova.

Fig. 1. Aerial photograph of Itanos showing the excavated areas (photo Nadia Coutsinas)

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Fig. 2. (a-b): Fabric Group A; (c) Fabric Group B; (d) Fabric Group C; (e-f) Fabric Group D (photos E. Nodarou)

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Fig. 3. Fragments of vessels (a-b) and conserved vessel (c) in Fabric Group A (photos M. Xanthopoulou)

Fig. 4. Vessels in Fabric Group A (drawings M. Xanthopoulou)

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Fig. 6. Basin rim fragment in Fabric Group C (photo M. Xanthopoulou)

Fig. 5. Jug in Fabric Group C (photo M. Xanthopoulou)

Fig. 7. Bowl (a) and cooking pot (b) in Fabric Group D (drawings M. Xanthopoulou)

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