A Guide to Late Roman and Byzantine Amphorae

Travis Hill
December 15, 2016
CLAS 599
Dr. Voyatzis
University of Arizona
 2

Table of Contents

Introduction 3
The Guide 7
Part I: Late Roman & Early Byzantine Amphorae, 4th - 8th Centuries A.D. 9
Late Roman 1 10
Late Roman 2 13
Late Roman 3 14
Late Roman 4 17
Late Roman 5/6 20
Late Roman 7 23
Globular 25
Peacock & Williams 31 (African) 29
Peacock & Williams 5 31
Peacock & Williams 5 32
Part II: Middle Byzantine Amphorae, 10th - 13th Centuries A.D. 33
Gnsenin 1 34
Gnsenin 2 37
Gnsenin 3 38
Gnsenin 4 40
Otranto 1-2 41
Works Cited 43
 3

Introduction

There is no clear division between the end of late antiquity and the beginning of the

Byzantine period. This statement holds true even for the amphorae which mark the period of

transition from the 4th through 6th centuries. Amphora typologies of this period exhibit continuity

rather than a break with what came before, evolving from forms dating back to the early imperial

period (see Late Roman 3 in particular for illustrations of evolving forms, pages 14-15).

Amphorae from the Eastern Empire were distributed throughout the Western Empire, with the

most common forms being the bag-shaped series from Palestine (Late Roman 5/6).1 Other

common forms from the 5th and 6th centuries were Late Roman 1-3, produced in Asia Minor, and

Late Roman 7 and Peacock & Williams 35 & 51, these being long, cylindrical or carrot-shaped

forms from Northern Africa or Egypt.

With the fall of Rome and the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire during the 5th

century, Eastern-made amphorae came to dominate the market throughout the Mediterranean.

The political and societal upheavals in the Western Empire soon led to economic ruin, yet trade

continued to flourish in the Eastern Empire for another 200 years. As described by Laiou and

Morrisson, the Eastern Empires vitality was due to a virtuous circle of political stability and

economic prosperity that enabled it to buy off or fight enemies in the Balkans while maintaining

a by and large peaceful equilibrium in the east with Persia.2 During the reign of Justinian (527-

565), Byzantine markets regained access to portions of Spain, North Africa, Sicily, and Italy,

though most of these conquests were short-lived with the exception of southern Italy, which

would remain an important trading partner with the rest of the Byzantine Empire well into the

12th century.

1
Peacock & Williams 1986, 29.
2
Laiou and Morrisson 2007, 23.
 4

External pressures intensified during the 7th century, and Arab conquests, beginning in

the 630s, reduced the territory of the Byzantine Empire by half in about 50 years.3 Important

production centers in North Africa, Egypt, and Palestine were disrupted, and many of the forms

well-known for centuries ceased to be made over the course of the 7th century (see Figure 1). The

Arab conquest, however, did not end trade entirely within the Eastern Mediterranean, and several

production centers within the conquered territories continued to operate under the Arabs, all

manufacturing rounded, broad-bellied, baggy forms (Late Roman 5/6) which would endure

until the end of the 8th century. Some of these amphorae have even preserved Arabic inscriptions

Globular
Otranto 2
Otranto 1
Otranto 1
Gunsenin 4
Gunsenin 3
Gunsenin 2
Gunsenin 1
Late Roman 4
Late Roman 5/6
Peacock & Williams 51
Late Roman 5/6
Late Roman 7
Peacock & Williams 35
Late Roman 1
Late Roman 2
Late Roman 3
Globular

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Asia Minor Palestine/Syria Egypt/N. Africa Sea of Marmara & Environs Italy

Figure 1: Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Late Roman and Byzantine Amphora

3
Ibid, 24.
 5

and stamps. Meanwhile, the crippled Byzantine Empire was still producing amphorae in southern

Italy and in Asia Minor, similar in shape to Late Roman 5/6. I follow Vroom in grouping the

many slight variations of this class as Globular in this guide.4

The 9th century was a low point for the Byzantine Empire. Its territories in Palestine and

Egypt were lost forever, and migrations of Slavs had wrested control of much of the Balkans

away from imperial control. Evidence for amphorae in the archaeological record virtually does

not exist for the entire Eastern Mediterranean during this time (see Figure 1). An economic

recovery did not begin until the very end of the 9th century. With this recovery came the

abandonment of traditional amphora types from antiquity and the continuous invention of new

ones.5 One of the most striking trends from these new forms was the gradual lengthening of the

handles until they reached well above the rim of the vessel (Gnsenin 2 & 3).6 Rounded and

oblong shapes were also popular (Gnsenin 1 & 4; Otranto 1-2).

During the 9th through 11th centuries, stamps and painted or incised marks were common.

The exact meaning of these markings in a Byzantine context is not well understood. Such

markings were also used on amphorae in antiquity and were used for a variety of purposes, often

indicating the names of individuals involved with production such as owners or craftsmen, but

perhaps also used for inspection and taxation purposes. Bakirtzis offers several similar

explanations for the Byzantine markings.7 A new development in these markings, however, are

the frequent allusions made to Christianity.8

4
Vroom 2014, 61.
5
Bakirtzis 1989, 76.
6
This unusual looking shape even gave rise to the expression (in Greek): angel with magarikon ears, magarikon
being the Greek word for an amphora during the Byzantine period. Bakirtzis 1989, 74.
7
Ibid, 76.
8
Van Doorninck, Jr. 1989, 252.
 6

Another phenomenon unique to the Middle Byzantine period is the frequent reuse of

amphorae for other purposes; this was likely a result, Van Doorninck argues, of the much

reduced availability of amphorae in comparison with ancient times.9 Indeed, in the western

Mediterranean wooden barrels had already largely replaced ceramic transport containers by this

time and were becoming increasingly common in the east.10 Van Doorninck found evidence for

reuse on the great majority of amphora found on the 11th century Seri Limani shipwreck.11 He

describes damage inflicted to the inside of the amphorae rims as well as missing handles, all of

which seemed indicative to him of someone prying out a stopper with a pointed object with one

hand while holding one of the amphoras handles with the other.12 Apparently these amphorae

no longer carried their first contents, but they were still found useful in the transport of other

materials. Another form of reuse during this period is the incorporation of amphorae fragments

into the walls and domes of Byzantine churches. Because literary sources often record the dates

for the foundation, construction, and even repair of many Byzantine churches, this secondary use

of amphorae has proved particularly useful for the dating of amphorae types.13

Despite territorial contractions during the 11th and 12th centuries, the Byzantine Empire

experienced economic growth during this time.14 For example, Otranto, Byzantiums principal

port in the west (located in southern Italy), has revealed a striking quantity of transport

amphorae in contexts dating from around the XIth to XIIth century.15 Amphorae of similar

manufacture appear in many locations within the rest of the Byzantine Empire, indicating that

9
Ibid., 256.
10
Peacock and Williams 1986, 29.
11
Van Doorninck 1989, 256.
12
Ibid.
13
E.g. Sanders 1989.
14
Laiou and Morrisson 2007, 3.
15
Arthur 1989, 88.
 7

Italy, like in antiquity, had once again entered the Mediterranean exchange network.16 This

resurgence of amphorae usage would not last, however, as these long-lived vessels were finally

to become obsolete by the end of the 14th century. Bakirtzis states that the decline of the amphora

can be attributed to several factors, including:

the shrinking of the frontiers of the Byzantine state, the reduced possibilities of maritime

activity, the loss of the old centres of production of commercial containers, like Egypt

and Palestine, after the rise of the Arabs, and especially to the loss of trade to the

Genoese and the Venetians. These introduced and imposed new methods of shipping and

transporting goods, and steadily replaced the clay magarika by voutsia, wooden barrels

that had greater capacity and offered faster, more economical loading and safer

transport.17

By the time the Ottoman Empire took command of the Eastern Mediterranean, the age of the

amphora had passed into history.

The Guide

As Peacock and Williams point out: It is possible to demonstrate minor but significant

changes in shape or rim form with the passage of time. Nevertheless, it remains true that

differences are not marked and evolution often seems to be slow, so that it is seldom possible to

date a form with great precision.18 Thus, the goal of this guide is not to elucidate all of the

minor details of amphora typology, over which much scholarly ink has been spilled and so are

better left in their respective volumes, but rather to provide a broader introduction to Byzantine

amphora typologies. My hope is that this guide can serve as a useful starting point for the

16
Ibid., 89.
17
Bakirtzis 1989, 76.
18
Peacock and Williams 1986, 17.
 8

identification and dating of Byzantine amphorae, giving the reader direction for more detailed

study of a particular specimen.

With this goal in mind, I have gathered together here the most common classes of

Byzantine amphorae. I have attempted to use the classification names which I found both most

streamlined and widely referenced. Each amphora class has been illustrated with examples culled

from a variety of sources, each of which is carefully cited. My descriptions of fabric, decoration,

distribution, etc. have also been compiled from many sources as well as my own observations.

The foundation of these descriptions, however, must be attributed as primarily derived from John

Hayes 1992 Excavations at Sarahane in Istanbul, Volume 2: The Pottery and Joanita Vrooms

2014 Byzantine to Modern Pottery in the Aegean: An Introduction and Field Guide.
 9

Part I
Late Roman & Early Byzantine Amphorae
4th - 8th Centuries A.D.
 10

Late Roman 1
Date: early 5th - late 7th
Color: pinkish-cream to reddish-yellow; core can be dull orange
Temper/Composition: very sandy with some fine limestone and mineral inclusions
Shape: thin-walled cylindrical body with a rounded base
Rim: thickened, often unevenly made, double molded; later examples show lengthening of neck
Neck: high neck, cylindrical or tapering in towards middle
Other Description: two thick, unevenly grooved handles, asymmetrically ridged; uneven ribbing
on body with wide spacing at mid-point and narrow spacing at shoulder and base;
sometimes creamish or light grey slip; red painted inscriptions in Greek cursive script
(dipinti) may occur on neck or shoulder; most common type throughout Eastern
Mediterranean in Early Christian contexts
Origin: S. coast Turkey (Cilicia), W. Cyprus, Rhodes, Caria, perhaps Chios; imitations are
widespread, using local fabrics
Distribution: widespread - N. Africa, E. Mediterranean, Black Sea, Italy, S. France, Iberia,
Britain (see page 12, Riley Fig. 14)
References: Bass & Van Doorninck 1982, 155-157 (Type 1); Euzennat 1969, 433; Hayes 1992,
63-64 (Type 5); Irimia 1968, 386-387; Peacock & Williams 1986, 185-187 (Class 44);
Riley 1981, 120; Scorpan 1973, 320; 1975 (Type B); Vroom 2014, 53; Vulpe & Barnea
1968, 489-490; Williams 1989, 95-96

Scorpan 1975 Pls. III.5 & X.3

Peacock & Williams 1986 Fig. 104

after Fulford and Peacock 1984
 11

Bass & Van Doorninck 1982 Fig. 8-3

LATE
EARLY

Hayes 1992 Fig. 47.156-157 Vulpe & Barnea 1968 Fig. 47.5 Vulpe & Barnea 1968 Fig. 47.4

Euzennat 1969 Fig. 16 Scorpan 1976 Fig. 34

Irimia 1968 Fig. 14
 12

Bass & Van Doorninck 1982 Fig. 8-1

Late Roman 1 Distribution: Riley 1981 Fig. 14

 13

Late Roman 2
Date: late 4th - mid 7th
Color: drab brown to pinkish-red, fired buff or light brownish at surface
Temper/Composition: hard, fine-grained; clean breaking, large lime inclusions, occasional gold
mica flakes
Shape: globular, broad bellied, wide shoulder, body slopes in towards bottom with rounded base
bearing small central button
Subtypes: (A) fairly shallow straight grooving, short neck with large bulging mouth (B) wavy
grooving, deeply cut to form a series of sharp ridges, longer neck with smaller mouth
Rim: heavy, cup-shaped; everted
Neck: short, tapering with high conical or cup-shaped mouth
Other Description: close-set parallel grooving from shoulder to belly; handles flattened, sloping
obliquely from neck to shoulder, oval cross-section; sometimes painted Greek
inscriptions (tituli picti)
Origin: probably eastern Aegean
Distribution: E. Med., Black Sea, Carthage, Britain, Spain, S. France (see page 16, Riley Fig. 15)
References: Broneer 1959, 336-337; Hayes 1992, 66 (Sarahane Type 9); Peacock & Williams
1986, 182-184 (Class 43); Rdulescu 1973, 198ff; 1976, 107; Riley 1981, 122; Scorpan
1975 (Type A); Vroom 2003, 143; 2014, 55

Rdulescu 1976 Pl.

Broneer 1959 Pl. 72b VIII.1

Scorpan 1975 Pl. 2.8-10

Rdulescu 1973 Fig. 7
 14

Late Roman 3
Date: late 4th 7th
Color: dark brown, reddish-brown
Temper/Composition: hard, highly micaceous
Shape: long; slightly bulbous; pointed foot with small rim
Subtype: from 1st - 5th centuries, an earlier version (Sarahane Type 3A) had only one handle and
an open hollow foot (see Peacock and Williams 1986 Fig. 107, below, for two subtypes;
see Scorpan 1976, Pl. V.3-6, below, and Robinson Pl. 41, page 15, for evolution of
forms)
Rim: rounded
Neck: concave, long, slender
Other Description: broad, shallow ribbing covering most of the vessel; two short strap-handles
Origin: W. Asia Minor
Distribution: E. Mediterranean, Black Sea, Carthage, Rome, Britain (see page 16, Riley Fig. 12)
References: Aupert 1980, 442; Hayes 1992, 63 (Type 3); Neuru 1980,201-202; Peacock &
Williams 1986, 188-190 (Class 45); Pierart & Thalmann 1980, 473-474; Riley 1981, 118;
Robinson 1959; Scorpan 1975 (Type I); 1976 (Type O); Vroom 2014, 55-57

Peacock & Williams 1986 Fig. 107

Pierart & Thalmann pl. I.A5

Scorpan 1976 Pl. V.3-6

 15

Robinson 1959 Pl 40

Robinson 1959 Pl 41 Scorpan 1975 Pl. II.3-4

Hayes 1992 Fig. 22.9

Aupert 1980 Fig. 46.327
Neuru 1980 pl. VI.34-35
 16

Late Roman 2 Distribution: Riley 1981 Fig. 15

Late Roman 3 Distribution: Riley 1981 Fig. 12

 17

Late Roman 4
Date: 4th to late 6th
Color: dull brownish to buff-brown, sometimes grayish core
Temper/Composition: thick, sandy fabric; loose-textured and smooth; contains calcite
Shape: long, narrow, cylindrical; tapers conically at bottom to rounded or sometimes flat base
Rim: low beadlike, everted
Neck: none
Other Description: small, thick, ring/loop handles on edge of shoulder; bands of sharp ridges at
handle-level and above base; clay accretions on the shoulder and around the rim
(apparently placed there before firing - see below, Barnea 1979 Fig. 161-3.5 & 164-3.5)
Origin: Gaza
Distribution: E. Med., Black Sea, Carthage, Gaul, Britain (see page 19, Riley Fig. 13)
References: Aharoni 1964, 41; Hayes 1992, 64-65 (Type 6); Barnea 1979, 187; Peacock &
Williams 1986, 198-199 (Class 49); Riley 1981, 110, 120 (Late Roman 4); Scorpan 1975
(Type K); Vroom 2014, 57-59

Riley 1981 Fig. 8.70-71

Scorpan 1975 Pl. 1.5 Hayes 1992 Fig. 47.166-167

Barnea 1979 Fig. 161-3.5 & 164-3.5

 18

Peacock & Williams 1986 Fig. 116

Hayes 1992 Fig. 22.4-5

Aharoni 1964 Fig. 24.9 & Pl. 4.3

 19

Late Roman 4 Distribution: Riley 1981 Fig. 13

Overview of Late Roman 1-7: Riley 1981 Fig. 10

 20

Late Roman 5/6

Date: early 6th - 7th
Color: Late Roman 5 - yellow, orange or pale reddish-brown with a pale yellow surface; Late
Roman 6 - reddish core with a gray surface
Temper/Composition: Late Roman 5 - soft, very sandy fabric; Late Roman 6 - well-fired, hard
fabric
Shape: baggy, rounded bottom and shoulder
Rim: straight, symmetrical with rounded lip; collarlike
Neck: cylindrical, short
Other Description: ring handles on outer part of shoulder; close-set ribbing cover body, widening
out on bottom, sometimes combined with straight or wavy incised lines; often greenish
cream slip on exterior; body can have white or black painted vertical patterns of
intersecting wavy stripes, loops, and spiral (see page 21, Robinson 1959 Pl. 32 M329-
330); some vessels with Arabic inscriptions and stamps
Origin: Palestine and Egypt
Distribution: Aegean, Cyprus, Carthage
References: Hayes 1992, 65-66 (Types 7-8); Peacock & Williams 1986, 191-192 (Class 46);
Riley 1981, 110, 121 (Late Roman 5); Scorpan 1975 (Type H); Sellin & Watzinger 1913,
160; Vroom 2014, 59

Riley 1981 Fig 8.72

Hayes 1992 Fig 47.168-169

Hayes 1992 Fig. 31.5 (Type A)

Hayes 1992 Fig 49.170

Scorpan 1975 Pl. 2.6

 21

Sellin & Watzinger 1913 Fig. 193

Hayes 1992 Fig. 48.172-173 (Type
B)

Robinson 1959 Pl. 32 M329-330

 22

Aharoni 1964 Fig. 24

 23

Late Roman 7
Date: 5th - 7th
Color: dull brown
Temper/Composition: soft, thick, loose-textured, sandy with gold mica flakes and a few straw-
impressions
Shape: carrot-shaped - long, tapering body; angular shoulder, toed with solid spike
Subtypes: (see page 24, Peacock & Williams 1986 Fig. 122) - (A) angular, sharply carinated
shoulder; screw-like corrugations on the toe spike (B) sloping shoulders, lacks screw-like
corrugations on toe spike
Rim: vertical
Neck: narrow, cylindrical, longer on (B)
Other Description: crudely attached handles; ridging and grooves all over, heavy stepped ridging
on transitions, solid toe
Origin: Nile Valley, perhaps Oxyrhyncus region
Distribution: E. Mediterranean, Carthage; most common in Egypt
References: Hayes 1992, 66-67 (Type 12); Peacock & Williams 1986, 204-205; Riley 1981, 121;
Winlock & Crum 1973, 78-79

Riley 1981 Fig. 4.21

Riley 1981 Fig. 8.73-74

Hayes 1992 Fig. 49.190-192
 24

Winlock & Crum 1973 Pl. XXVIII

Peacock & Williams 1986 Fig. 122

 25

Globular
Date: 7th - 8th
Color: varies by subtype, orange-brown is common; often yellowish self-slip on exterior surface
Temper/Composition: soft, fine, powdery fabric; sandy with fine silvery mica particles, a few
fine mineral inclusions, and a few medium limestone inclusions
Shape: globular body with a broad belly, broad shoulder
Subtypes: many variations differentiated primarily by neck and rim
Rim: great amount of variation by subtype
Neck: short, vertical, tapering; exact shape varies
Other Description: two handles, shallow arched and oval cross-section; some with plain bodies,
others with groups of combed grooves; standard cargo amphora on Yassi Ada wreck
Origin: probably Aegean, Cyprus, Central & Southern Italy
Distribution: Black Sea, E. Mediterranean, Italy, S. France, N. Africa
References: Bass & Van Doorninck 1982, 157-160, 161-165 (Type 2); Hayes 1992, 71-72
(Types 29, 32-42); Megaw 1972, 328; Vroom 2014, 61

Bass & Van Doorninck 1982 Fig. 8-5

 26

Bass & Van Doorninck 1982 Fig. 8-4

 27

Hayes 1992 Fig. 23.2-3, 8

Hayes 1992 Fig. 52.9

Hayes 1992 Fig. 23.10

Megaw 1972 Fig. C

Megaw 1972 Fig. 25
 28

Hayes 1992 Fig. 52.10 Hayes 1992 Fig.23.6

Hayes 1992 Fig. 23.4

Hayes 1992 Fig. 57.26

Hayes 1992 Fig. 57.27

Hayes 1992 Fig. 57.43

Hayes 1992 Fig. 23.9
 29

Peacock & Williams Class 35 (North African)

Date: late 4th 6th
Color: pinkish-red; exterior buff
Temper/Composition: traces of lime, quartz
Shape: long, cylindrical, pointed foot
Subtypes: many varieties in particularities of shape, rim, neck, foot
Rim: heavy, squarish, lipped
Neck: concave
Other Description: regular ribbing along entire body; two small, symmetrical handles
Origin: probably N. Africa
Distribution: Widespread: E. & W. Mediterranean, Black Sea, Britain
References: Hayes 1992, 61-63 (Type 1); Peacock & Williams 1986, 158-165 (Class 35);
Rdulescu 1976, pl. VI.2

Rdulescu 1976 Pl. VI.2

Peacock & Williams 1986 Fig. 84

Hayes 1992 Fig. 22.1

 30

Peacock & Williams 1986 Fig. 83

 31

Peacock & Williams Class 51 (Spatheion)

Date: 5th - 6th
Color: reddish, buff at surface; often greenish cream slip on outer surface
Temper/Composition: various fabrics, though normally hard, rough, fairly sandy
Shape: spatheion; large, long, and slender, carrot-shaped body with pointed toe
Subtype: (Sarahane Type 14) smaller-sized, slightly sandy greenish- or yellowish-buff, late 6th
to 7th, bulging rim-moulding, tiny handles applied to neck
Rim: heavy, rim-moulding, everted
Neck: short
Other Description: two small handles; vertical smoothing or paring marks on outside
Origin: North African (perhaps also North Italian)
Distribution: E. Mediterranean, Black Sea, Carthage
References: Hayes 1992, 67 (Types 13-14); Peacock & Williams 1986, 202-203; Plumely et al
1977, 44; Scorpan 1976, 165-166

Scorpan 1976 Pl. XIV.4-5 Hayes 1992 Fig. 49.186-187 Peacock & Williams 1986 Fig. 120

Plumley et al 1977 Pl. VII.4

 32

Peacock & Williams Class 54 (?)

Date: 4th - 8th
Color: brick-red to orange or grey fired reddish-brown at the edges
Temper/Composition: thick gritted with small white inclusions
Shape: broad, baggy; rounded base
Subtypes: (A) oval-sectioned handles; heavy, solid toe (B) thick round-sectioned handles,
buttonlike toe
Rim: thickened, everted
Neck: cylindrical or conical
Other Description: ridging on belly and shoulder
Origin: ?
Distribution: Constantinople, Black Sea, Benghazi
References: Hayes 1992, 63 (Type 4); Rdulescu 1976, 107; Peacock & Williams 1986, 208-
209; Scorpan 1973, 288 & 320; Scorpan 1976, 164

Scorpan 1973 Fig.36.4 Scorpan 1976 pl. X.2-3

Rdulescu 1976 pl. IX.2

Hayes 1992 Fig. 47.158-160
 33

Part II
Middle Byzantine Amphorae
10th - 13th Centuries A.D.
 34

Gnsenin 1
Date: 10th - 11th
Fabric: soft, fine; orange-red, light brownish orange, or maroon-red; limestone, fine white quartz,
and red-brown mineral particles with fine, micaceous inclusions
Shape: round-bellied; wide, sloping shoulder; body narrows toward shallow, rounded bottom
Rim: straight, though much variation
Neck: short, wide, often irregular; trend towards shorter necks later in series
Decoration: upper, exterior body partially ribbed; lower body and bottom partially covered with
heavy ridges; cream to yellowish slip covers exterior up to the lip; sometimes stamped
handles or shoulders, sometimes incised graffiti on shoulders or below handles; painted
inscriptions rare
Other Description: two short, heavy, often irregular D-shaped handles from rim to shoulder;
made in two or three parts luted together; thick-walled
Origin: Sea of Marmara, probably Ganos and Marmara Island
Distribution: widespread: S. France, Italy, Aegean, Black Sea, E. Mediterranean, S. Russia (see
page 36, Gnsenin Fig. 4)
References: Bjelajac 1989, 111-113; Gnsenin 1989, 269-271; Hayes 1992, 73-74 (Type 54);
van Doorninck Jr. 1989, 253; Vroom 2014, 95

Bjelajac 1989 Fig. 2 Van Doorninck Jr. 1989 Fig. 4

 35

Hayes 1992 Fig. 24.1-11

Gnsenin 1989, 269-271

 36

Distribution of Type 1: Gnsenin 1990 Fig. 4

Distribution of Type 2: Gnsenin 1990 Fig. 13

 37

Gnsenin 2
Date: mid-11th - early 12th
Fabric: fairly hard, light orange-brown; fine to medium limestone and white quartz inclusions
Shape: pear-shaped body with a rounded base
Rim: wide-splayed, folded/hooked
Neck: narrow, more flaring than Gnsenin 1
Decoration: exterior partially or entirely ribbed, without fine grooving; creamish slip on exterior
body; dipinti and graffiti are fairly common
Other Description: slightly upward-sloping handles attach body to neck (under rim)
Origin: unknown (Aegean, Black Sea, and south of Marmara possible)
Distribution: Aegean, Black Sea (see page 36, Gnsenin 1990 Fig. 13)
References: Gnsenin 1989, 271; Hayes 1992, 75-76 (Type 60); Vroom 2014, 97

Gnsenin 1989 Figs. 5-6

Gnsenin 1989 Fig. 7

Vroom 2014 MBYZ 14.2

 38

Gnsenin 3
Date: late 12th early 13th
Fabric: fairly hard; orange to dark reddish-purple; fine to medium limestone inclusions, medium
to large white quartz and red-brown mineral particles, many organic voids
Shape: tall, pear-shaped body
Rim: everted, thickened
Neck: tall and narrow
Decoration: creamish or dull orange slip on exterior; close-set horizontal grooves from shoulder
down 2/3 of body; single, sporadic grooves on lower 1/3; sometimes incised graffiti on
neck exterior
Other Description: two heavy, high-slung handles from neck to shoulder; thick walls; often
irregularly made
Origin: unknown, probably various; one source probably central Greece (Chalkis?)
Distribution: widespread; E. Mediterranean, Black Sea, Russia, Italy, S. France
References: Barna 1989, 134-135; Gnsenin 1989, 271-274; Hayes 1992, 76 (Type 61); Vroom
2014, 97-99

Gnsenin 1989 Fig. Barna 1989 Fig. 4

8 Vroom 2014 MBYZ 15.2
 39

Gnsenin 1989 Figs. 9-11

Hayes 1992 Pl. 13, B & C

Hayes 1992 Fig. 26.10-11

 40

Gnsenin 4
Date: 12th 13th/14th
Fabric: hard, fine, reddish brown to orange
Shape: large, conical body
Rim: straight
Neck: short, cylindrical
Decoration: partially ribbed, especially on the upper body; porous light yellow-orange slip; often
Greek monogram stamps on bottom of handles
Other Description: two upward-sloping massive handles from rim to base of shoulders; more
careful/refined manufacture than Gnsenin 1-3
Origin: unknown (Black Sea Trabzon?)
Distribution: Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Russia, Dalmatian coast
References: Gnsenin 1989, 274-276; Vroom 2014, 100-101

Gnsenin 1989 Figs. 12-13

Gnsenin 1989 Fig. 14

Vroom 2014 MBYZ 16.2
 41

Otranto 1-2
Date: (1) 10th early 11th; (2) late 11th early 13th
Fabric: (1) fairly hard, medium fine, pale creamish-orange; inclusions: many organic, some
limestone, some medium red mudstone, many medium voids; (2) soft, fine, creamish to
pale yellow; many organic inclusions, especially in the handles
Shape: (1) long piriform-shaped body with rounded base and rounded shoulder; (2) ovoid-shaped
body
Rim: heavy, everted rim; many variations
Neck: (1) high and conical; (2) short and conical
Decoration: ribbed body; incised wavy line on shoulder (1 only)
Other Description: (1) thick, ribbed strap handles; (2) high slung, ribbed handles
Origin: both made in Apulia, S. Italy; (1) also made in the region of Corinth
Distribution: S. France, Italy, Adriatic Sea, Balkans, Turkey
References: Bjelajac 1989, 113-115; Hayes 1992, 76-77 (Type 67); Vroom 2014, 103

Hayes 1992 Fig. 26.12

Popovi 1989 Fig. 6

 42

Sanders 1989 Fig. 5

Vroom 2014 MBYZ 17.2

Vroom 2014 MBYZ 17.3

 43

Works Cited

Ahorani, Yohanan. 1964. Excavation at Ramat Rahel: Seasons 1961 and 1962. Roma: Centro di
Studi Semitici & Universita di Roma
Arthur, Paul. 1989. Aspects of Byzantine Economy: An Evaluation of Amphora Evidence from
Italy. In Recherches sur la Cramique Byzantine, 79-91. Edited by V. Droche and J. M.
Spieser. Athens: cole Franaise dAthnes.
Aupert, P. 1980. Objet de la vie quotidienne Argos. BCH Supplment VI, 395-457.
Bakirtzis, Ch. 1989. Byzantine Amphorae. In Recherches sur la Cramique Byzantine, 73-77.
Edited by V. Droche and J. M. Spieser. Athens: cole Franaise dAthnes.
Barna, I. 1968. Perioada Dominatului (Sec. IV-VII). In Din Istoria Dobrogei II, Romanii la
Dunrea de Jos. Edited by R. Vulpe and I. Barnea, 367-556. Bucureti: Editura
Academiei Republicii Socialiste Romnia.
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