GRAECO-ITALIC AMPHORAS AT VALESIO (PROVINCE OF BRINDISI)

J.H. van der Werff

Valesio is one of those ancient Messapian settlements that abounds in Italy's heel, the Salentine Peninsula. During the late Hellenistic/Republican period (late 3rd - first half 2nd century BC) the place was flooded with Graeco-Italic amphoras (Will type d). There is strong evidence to assume that the great majority of the vessels were manufactured in the Salento. Interestingly, the abundance, quite unparalleled by any other amphora type at the site, coincides with a marked decrease in population. This paradoxical situation raises problems as to the function of the amphoras: if they didn't carry wine and were used as water jars in the household instead, their physical presence nevertheless presupposes the existence of regional wine-making. But which wine, which region, and most of all: for which market?

Main Page

Photos from the Conference

Program Schedule

Abstracts Index