THIN-WALLED POTTERY FROM EPHESUS

Sabine Ladstätter

In recent years, research on Hellenistic and Roman ceramics focused on the publication of closed deposits. While these studies are now in print or in print-preparation, further work has to be done on several pottery-classes. A newly established project covers the late Hellenistic and Early Roman period and contains analyses of the amphorae, the mold made bowls, the Ephesus-lamps, the sigillatas and finally the thin-walled pottery. The aim of the project is to characterize the transformation of Ephesus from a Greek city to a Roman metropolis based on the material culture.

Thin-walled pottery was imported to Ephesus from the early 1st century BC onwards. In the late Hellenistic deposits the well known western types were restricted to single pieces, while the common table-wares stood in Hellenistic tradition and had been produced locally or regionally. This phenomenon is typical for the eastern Mediterranean and had been observed as well in Pergamum, Cnossos, Corinth, Athens and other sites.

An increase in the importation of western wares occurred during the reign of Augustus. At the same time a local or regional production of Thin-walled wares started. The earliest pieces of these eastern Mediterranean wares are imitations of western examples like the well known sanded cups or beakers with a lustrous metallic slip. On the other hand eastern trade is confirmed by imports from Knidos. From the 2nd quarter of the 1st century onwards an independent development in form, decoration and technique may be observed. Especially the Flavian deposits in Ephesus contain a lot of different thin-walled vessels like beakers and mugs.

Production continued without break until the 3rd century, although the later pieces (2nd and 3rd century) do not bear slip or decoration and therefore may be attributed to the common-ware. The latest examples are the so-called "boccallini a collarino" with its characteristic white painted decoration. On the poster thin-walled pottery from several deposits (Augustan, Flavian, Severan and finally advanced 3rd century) found in the terraces houses of Ephesus will be presented. A brief discussion of forms, decorations and fabrics shall allow a first and informal characterization and interpretation.

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