Greek, Roman and Byzantine Pottery at Ilion (Troia):
Sebastian Heath and Billur Tekkök, Editors
Archaic to Hellenistic Amphoras
Please note that this is a public draft of work in progress
introduction - bibliography
Publication of the stratified deposits of Archaic through Hellenistic amphoras by M. Lawall (1999 and 2002) has contributed to study of the economic history of the site in these periods. The D09 deposits in the vicinity of the Troia VI city wall provided evidence for the late seventh through late fourth centuries B.C (Lawall 2002). Archaic period finds suggest some degree of regional production of agricultural surplus supplemented by only limited participation in Aegean trade networks. The fifth century may have been a period of economic depression. Late fifth and fourth century evidence indicates increasing levels of trade that coincides with the incorporation of the Troad into the Persian empire. Study of the amphoras from stratified deposits associated with Hellenistic houses near the city's defensive circuit indicate a phase of relative prosperity lasting from the late third century through much of the second century B.C. (Lawall 1999)
1. Lesbos Region Amphora (late seventh to sixth century BC)
P. H. 5.6. Est. diam. rim .14 (1/4 preserved).
D09.2908:30. Multiple sherds preserving rim, part of neck and joining and non-joining handle. Rough coarse surface and breaks; dense packing pale reddish stony bits, grey glassy, yellowish lime, black, and dark grey opaque; micaceous. 2.5YR 5/8 outer core; 5YR 5/3 and darker core.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 1 (with references); see page 200 for discussion. Found in Aslan 2002 phase 6.
image
2. Attic Amphora “À la brosse” Rim (late sixth century BC)
P. H. .074. Est. diam. rim .12 (1/4 preserved).
D09.2893:6. Single rim sherd preserving neck almost to shoulder. Black slip from inside of mouth over top and outer surface of rim; also visible at lowest part of neck as preserved. Hard smooth tan surface, redder core; sparse-moderate scatter yellowish white or white bits; rar black; micaceous. 7.5YR 5/6 outer fabric; 2.5YR 6/8 inner core.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 75 (with references); see page 202 for discussion. Found in Aslan 2002 phase 7.
image
3. Northern Aegean Amphora - Wedge Rim (fourth century BC)
P. H. .097. Est. diam. rim .08 (1/4 preserved).
D09.2881:16. Narrow wedge rim. Single rim sherd preserving 1/4 rim with parts of neck and upper segments of handle. Micaceous, dark chocolate brown surface, densely micaceous; fairly smooth surface; soft grainy break with sparse black and yellowish bits; very rare greyish and white rock fragments; one piece red brown stone visible. 2.5YR 4/8.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 17 (with references); see page 200 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c..
image
4. Northern Aegean Amphora - Wedge Rim (fourth century BC)
P. H. .083. Est. diam. rim .10 (1/4 preserved).
D09.2859:2. Flattened top, rounded outer edge wedge rim. Single rim sherd preserving ca. 1/4 rim, part of neck and handle. Coarse bricky fabric with redadily visible black chunks, dense packing stony bits, greyish; but especially noticeable are the pale pinkish translucent bits; micaceous. Outer core 2.YR 4/6 and 2.5YR 6/8 with gray inner core in thicker areas.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 18 (with references); see page 200 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c..
image
5. Troad(?) Amphora - Airfoil Rim (fourth century BC)
P. H. .213. Est. diam. rim .14 (3/8 preserved).
D09.2881:9. Multiple sherds, preserving large pieces of neck, one complete handle with shallow thumbprint at join with shoulder. Light brown fabric; dense grey glassy, less common white opaque and black bits, light red brown bits; scattered mica. 7.5YR 7/4.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 53 (with references); see pages 201-202 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c..
image
6. Troad(?) Amphora - Airfoil Rim (fourth century BC)
P. H. .067. Est. diam. rim .12 (1/4 preserved).
D09.2872:11. Airfoil rim with grooved fascia. Preserves ca. 1/4 rim, bit of neck wall. Pale purplish surface mottled with greenish lime, very dense packing grey glassy bits mixed with yellowish lime, fewer red and balck bits; micaceous.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 55 (with references); see pages 201-202 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3b..
image
7. Chian Amphora Toe (3rd quarter 4th century BC)
P. H. .281. Est. diam. toe .075.
D09.2876:60. Joining sherds preserving complete toe with a large portion of lower body.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 74; see page 202 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
8. Chian Amphora Toe (3rd quarter 4th century BC)
P. H. .08. Est. diam. toe .07.
D09.2876:58. Single sherd preserving 95% of toe and part of interior of vessel.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 73; see page 202 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
9. Chian Amphora Toe (3rd quarter 4th century BC)
P. H. .097. Est. diam. toe .062.
D09.2876:57. Single sherd preserving 95% of toe and small part of lower body.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 72; see page 202 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
10. Southern Aegean Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .042. Est. diam. rim .14 (1/8 preserved).
D09.2881:11. Tan surface over redder orange core; quite fine fabric, moderate sparse scatter, small yellow-white bits and small black bits; micaceous. 2.5YR 5/6.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 68; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
11. Southern Aegean Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .027. Est. diam. rim .14 (1/4 preserved).
D09.2876:53. Pale tan slip over compact reddish core; sparse lime in-fills; black bits; finely micaceous. 5YR 6/4.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 79; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
12. Southern Aegean Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .029. Est. diam. rim 15 (1/3 preserved).
D09.2871:45. Tan smooth micaceous surface over redder/gray core; moderate scatter off-white, black small bits. 7.5YR 5/4 inner core; 5YR 6/6 outer core.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 80; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
13. Local Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .047. Est. diam. rim .13 (1/4 preserved).
D09.2871:29. Pale greenish white surface and core; grainy break, difficult to see inclusions - wide scatter black bits most readily visible; glassy bits, small red bown, and very pale reddish powdery bits also present. 2.5Y 7/3.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 81; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
14. Southern Aegean Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .034. Est. diam. rim 11 (1/2 preserved).
D09.2863:9. Yellowish tan surface over reddish core; sparse scatter yellowish white opaque bits (not lime fill-ins), black bits - both quite visible against the compact orange-red fabric; micaceous. 5YR 5/6.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 82; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
15. Southern Aegean Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .079. Est. diam. rim 12 (1/4 preserved).
D09.2862:1. Red brown smooth fabric, moderate scatter - quite even mix - black, grey stony, small white bits, somewhat fewer red brown; micaceous. 5YR 5/6 with slightly greyer brown inner core.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 83; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
16. Southern Aegean Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .06113.
D09.2871:28. Brown surface, very smooth, very compact; striated breaks, moderate mixed red-brown and black bits; widely scatted mica. 5YR 6/6 and grey brown core.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 84; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
17. Southern Aegean Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .041. Est. diam. rim 12 (3/8 preserved).
D09.2881:10. Brownish hard smooth compact fabric, quite micaceous; sparse-moderate scatter yellowish lime bits; smudgy dull dark dark grey bits - mostly just mica. Between 2.5YR 5/6 and 5YR 5/6.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 85; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
18. Southern Aegean Mushroom Rim Amphora (4th century BC)
P. H. .05. Est. diam. rim .10 (1/6 preserved).
D09.2871:44. Smooth red brown surface, fine grained break; sparse scatter small white, large dark grey, rare red brown; micaceous. 5YR 5/6 with slightly yellow brown inner-most core.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 86; see page 203 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
19. Short Stem Amphora Toe in Northern Aegean Fabric (4th century BC)
P. H. .076. Est. diam. toe .064.
D09.2876:54. Brownish micaceous fabric; moderate scatter small grey and whitish stony bits, quite micaceous; black bits also common. 7.5YR 5/4.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 26; see pages 200-201 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3c.
image
20. Short Stem Amphora Toe in Northern Aegean Fabric (4th century BC)
P. H. .153. Est. diam. toe .054.
D09.2872:17. Brownish very micaceous fabric with greyish brown firing core; grainy break; moderate scatter dusky black bits; some grey glassy bits also present. Inner core 10YR 5/4; outer core 5YR 5/6.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 29; see pages 200-201 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3b.
image
21. Tall Stem Amphora Toe in Northern Aegean Fabric (4th century BC)
P. H. .153. Est. diam. toe .054.
D09.2872:15. Dark grey smooth hard surface with some mica; fine dark grey-brown, compact core; moderate scatter small smudgy black bits; yellowish lime infills; light red brown bits. 7.5YR 4/3.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 38; see pages 200-201 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3b.
image
22. Tall Stem Amphora Toe in Northern Aegean Fabric (4th century BC)
P. H. .153. Est. diam. toe .061.
D09.2860:23. Pale reddish tan fabric, coarse grained; moderate-dense grey glassy, fewer whitish-yellow, and very small black bits; micaceous. 7.5YR 7/4.
First published as Lawall 2002, no. 41; see pages 200-201 for discussion. Found in Berlin 2002 deposit 3b.
image
23. Lawall Type 1 Amphora (late 4th century BC)
P. H. .242. Est. diam. rim .08 (1/4 preserved).
w28.0351:2. Full profile of rim and 3/4 neck with one complete handle preserved. Everted rim has rounded prfile, fascia below rim. Tall, cylindrical neck bulges slightly from join with rim, flares out to the shoulder at the base of the neck. Handles attach just under the rim, arching upward from neck attachment and pulled in slightly at lower attachment. Fabric: sandy fabric with lime. Ext. 2.5Y 7/2 and lighter; core 5YR 7/4 mottled with lime.
First published as Lawall 1999, no. 1; with references. Found in late fourth century deposit.
image
24. Thasian Amphora Rim (late 3rd century)
P. H. .305. Est. diam. rim .11 (1/4 preserved).
w28.0333:17. Complete handle with small portion of rim, neck and shoulder preserved. Handle dimensions: .047x .024. Simple rounded, outward thickened rim with smooth join to neck wall; shallow, indistinct groove around lower part of rim. Long, heavy oval-section handle arcs upward slightly from upper attachment before turning down to steeply sloping shoulder. Fabric: gritty surfae with coarse breaks; very micaceous; 40% inclusions, mostly poorly sorted white translucent bits; many few black bits also present. Exterior 5YR 6/6, core 5YR 5/6.
First published as Lawall 1999, no. 16; with references. Found in Berlin 1999 Hellenistic 2 construction (ca. 225 BC).
image
25. North Greek Amphora Toe (late 3rd century)
P. H. .076. Est. diam. toe .069.
y29.0120:54. Lower part of stem toe. Flaring stem with fairly sharp outer edge; deep wide conical hollow in base. Fabric: gritty surface, coarse breaks. 10-20% inclusions, mix of gray and pale yellow translucent bits and black bits; mostly 0.2-0.5 mm; micaceous. Exterior 5YR 6/6, core 2.5YR 6/6.
First published as Lawall 1999, no. 54; with references. Found in Berlin 1999 Hellenistic 2a debris (ca. 225 - 175 BC).
image
26. Graeco-Italic Amphora Lyding Will Form D Amphora Neck and Handle (BC 350-150)
D09.2193:1. SC15-01. Joining sherds partially preserving neck and handle
Lyding Will 1982, p. 348.
image
image
General Bibliography
Lawall, Mark. 1999. “Studies in Hellenistic Ilion: Transport Amphoras from the Lower City,” Studia Troica 9: 187-224.
Lawall, Mark. 2002. “Ilion before Alexander: Amphoras and Economic Archaeology,” Studia Troica 12: 197-244.