HANDCRAFT PRODUCTION in HERACLEA SINTICA (ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA) by Ivo D
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papers of the american research center in sofia, vol. 2 ivo d. CHOLAKOV handcraft production in heraclea sintica... HANDCRAFT PRODUCTION IN HERACLEA SINTICA (ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA) by Ivo D. CHOLAKOV, National Institute of Archaeology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 0 5 cm Heraclea Sintica is located in Kozhuh locality forthcoming research that presents various 1 2 near the village of Rupite, Petrich region. deities depicted on objects from the region of The ancient city occupies the eastern and the Struma River (Cholakov forthcoming). southern slopes of Mount Kozhuh and part Terracotta molds found at the site provide one of the non-flooded river terrace between the piece of evidence for production on the spot Struma and Strumeshnitsa rivers. Due to (Cholakov 2008, fig. 14, 15) (Fig. 1/ 1-7). Taking regular excavations on the site conducted from into account the items discovered during 2007 onwards, there are numerous artefacts the 2012 field season, they amount to nine, related to the craft production in the city including two fragmented lamp molds (Fig. 1/ 8, 3 4 (Вагалински, Чолаков 2008; Вагалински, 9). The scale of production can be ascertained Чолаков, Александрова 2012; Вагалински by the large number and variety of the finished 2013). Various artefacts coming from products. Terracottas similar to those found archaeological excavation conducted at the near the Rupite village originate from the site in 1958 and finds discovered by chance in vicinity, and masks discovered near the Palat the vicinity have also been published (Милчев village, Blagoevgrad region, were probably 1960). Given the numerous small finds, it is produced in the workshops of Heraclea certain that terracotta production in the city Sintica (Katalog 2007, Kat. № № 171, 172; Die was well-developed. Much data also confirms Thraker 2004, Kat. № № 306 a-d; Cholakov the processing of bone, stone, fabric and forthcoming). The precise workmanship of 5 leather, and crafts such as sewing, spinning and the majority of these artefacts refutes the 6 weaving. The present study aims to examine assumption that manufacturing technique was some of the production activities carried out in simpler and coarse during the Roman period the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica on the basis (Дремсизова-Нелчинова, Тончева 1971, 7). of the archaeological data obtained so far. The discovered terracottas are precisely crafted Terracotta production. Most evidence is and more closely resemble Hellenistic models related to the activity of a center of terracotta typical of the region of the Middle and Lower production located in the ancient city. The Struma River and the Northern Aegean coast. bulk of the finds discovered at the site in the The terracotta workshop was localized in 2007 archaeological season have already been Site 2, lying in the so-called craftsmen's quarter 7 9 published (Cholakov 2008). Terracottas found of the city at the southern foot of the Mount 8 at Heraclea Sintica have also been included in Kozhuh. This is the site where Prof. A. Milchev Figure 1. 126 127 papers of the american research center in sofia, vol. 2 ivo d. CHOLAKOV handcraft production in heraclea sintica... conducted archaeological excavations in 1958. compounds such as lead oxide (PbO), the He concluded that this was a weaving and crystals of which are yellow or red in color; painting workshop, generally dating from the red lead / minium (Pb3O4); lead white (PbCO3, 4th century BC – 6th century AD (Милчев 1960, Pb(OH) ) – white mineral paint or galena 2 1 381). The archaeological excavations conducted (PbS). Their use is usually as suspension in in the 2007 and 2012 seasons, however, did water. They are prepared by melting the lead not confirm that hypothesis. The "painting in a kiln or hearth and the resulting oxide workshop" in question was fully excavated and layer is picked up. Although galena can be 2 it turned out that it was actually part of the city's directly used, it is also possible to be burnt system of sewers. Nevertheless, the pebbles and (Tite et al. 1998, 248). Vitruvius describes the 4 soil in different colors mentioned by Milchev, preparation of lead white. Lead shavings are as well as the yellow mineral paint encountered put in a vessel and concentrated vinegar is by him, suggest the use of these materials in poured on them. Then covers are put on the 3 production processes associated with coloring. vessels in order to avoid evaporation and after Several small lumps of red pigment, probably a while the lead pieces are transformed into minium, were also documented during the 2007 white (Vitruvius, 7. 12. 1). Minium (Pb3O4) is a field season. Among several shells of sea snails red or orange pigment that is water-insoluble, encountered in the excavations was a specimen but is also dissolved in acetic acid. Galena or of murex from which a dye staining in purple lead sulphide (PbS) is an inorganic compound red was extracted in antiquity (Вагалински, of lead and sulphur whose crystals are greyish- Чолаков 2008, 386). blue to silver-grey in color. Although all Processes involved in painting should lead compounds are toxic, some of them are probably be related to the activity of the still used today in the industry. Some of the excavated terracotta workshop. The majority unglazed terracottas are painted in white, 5 of terracottas are coated with glaze, suggesting which is achieved by covering the terracotta the use of this technique in the city's ceramic with grout. Thus the background is uniform production. Some of the items bear traces of and the paints adhere more firmly to the clay 7 white, red, yellow and blue paint. Chemical (Дремсизова-Нелчинова, Тончева 1971, 8). 6 analysis of some of the objects was carried Because of its low melting point (327° C) out. The analysis was conducted by the use lead can be treated at home. The lack of kilns of Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence discovered so far in the excavated area of spectrometer (EDX-720) in the laboratory of Heraclea Sintica suggests that the melting the National Institute of Archaeology with processes were carried out in portable metal or Museum in Sofia. According to the results ceramic vessels (stoves) in which combustion 8 obtained, the glaze used for the terracotta was provided through charcoal. The painting production contains a very high percentage and glazing of the terracottas was also done on of lead – 76-86% (Cholakov 2008, 56). Lead- the spot, and the firing of items was probably containing glazes are characteristic of the undertaken in the near vicinity. In a room 9 ceramic production of the 1st century BC next to the terracotta workshop a pool carved onwards (Tite et al. 1998, 242). into the rock was unearthed. It was probably A large number of lead fragments have used for flotsam and kneading of clay. During 10 been encountered during the excavations these processes, indispensable to the ceramic at all sites. Some of them can be considered production, the material is cleaned from salts, waste from production of fishing weights. solids and inorganic substances (Вакарелски The majority, however, are probably related to 1977, 360). More than a dozen sticks of clay 0 5 cm the terracotta manufacturing process. Glazes bearing traces of yellow-brown glaze were 11 in antiquity were mainly produced by using found in the course of excavation. Similar items Figure 2. 128 129 papers of the american research center in sofia, vol. 2 ivo d. CHOLAKOV handcraft production in heraclea sintica... have been discovered and considered by A. processing tools – axes, saws and files. The Milchev as having sacred significance (Милчев use of bone as raw material for production is 1960, 376). The traces of glaze are probably also attested by the presence of blanks (Fig. not intentional, but rather accidental. These 2/ 4, 5). These are mostly pieces of deer horns 1 sticks are more likely to have been used in the and less of ram's (Нинов 2012, 370). Blanks process of coloring terracottas. One possible with large, flat surfaces for making plates were 2 explanation is that they were placed through encountered. One of the bone appliqués found the openings of the masks in order to attach has incised decoration of geometric patterns. It 3 and hold them during dyeing. Another possible was probably prepared for a comb plate. Such function is their use as stirrers for mixing dye plates were also used in the manufacture of solution (Fig. 2/ 1-3). various appliqués or decorations (Fig. 2/ 6, 7). 4 10 The great number and the variety of Bone artefacts are most often related to products suggest that this workshop satisfied not crafts such as sewing, spinning and weaving. 5 only the needs of the city, but also those of other They will be discussed below as separate type neighboring communities. The importance of of production activity. Another large group the production is implied by the fact that, despite of bone artefacts are those used as toilet and 6 11 the great fire occurring after the mid-3rd century cosmetic articles. AD, it was resumed on the same site (Cholakov The largest group is composed of 2008, 55). Multiple diggings into the rock shaped hairpins. The artefacts found in the so-called 7 as shallow pools date to the earliest period of craftsmen's quarter far outnumber those 12 occupation of the workshop, and are probably encountered in the other territories of the related to similar activity. ancient city. 18 out of 25 hairpins are discovered 8 The high artistic value of the terracottas at Site 2. The presence of this typical women's associated with this site contrasts with similar accessory corresponds to the evidence for fabric 0 5 cm items of the same date found in other parts of production, which is also an exclusively female 9 the country.