THE RESULTS OF CLAY ANALYSIS OF STAMPED AMPHORA HANDLES OF MILETUS AND RHODIAN PERAEA IN ALEXANDRIA (EGYPT)

Authors : Gonca Cankardeş-şenol, Erkan Alkaç, Mai Abdelgawad

Pages : 285-316

View : 20 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2017-05-01

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Clay analyses constitute an important part of ceramic studies. Conducting clay analyses of groups whose origins are known can contribute to identifying the characteristics and diversity of fabrics produced in the known production centres. Thus, it is possible to establish the ceramics produced in the same centres with clays from different sources. On the other hand, analyses aimed at establishing the clay composition of ceramics whose production centres are problematic or unknown and comparisons of the results of analyses with those of known products, can help determine the origins of fabrics. With this purpose, the stamped amphora handles attributed to Miletus found in Alexandria that were published in OLBA XXIV in 2016 were analysed. In this article, a group of stamps naming Boethos, which has been given a Milesian origin by some scholars, that would appear to originate in the Rhodian Peraea because of clay characteristics was also mentioned. During our studies related to clay analyses, this group was also examined and compared with the fabrics of stamped handles that were certainly produced in the Peraea. Lastly, the results of analyses made with a Niton Xl3t XRF device have shown the differences between fabrics of Milesian and Peraean products and the closeness of the Boethos group to Peraean fabrics.
Keywords : Alexandria, amphora stamp, Miletus, clay analyses, Rhodian Peraea