Чернофирнисова керамика от некропола на Аполония Понтика. Типологическо и хронологическо изследване.

Black-glaze Pottery from the Necropolis of Apollonia Pontica: Τypological and Chronological Study (based on materials from ritual fireplaces, c. 400 -250 BC)

Abstract

The present study is dedicated to some of the finds from a type of archaeological structures that are specific to the Classical and Hellenistic necropolis of Apollonia – the so-called „ritual fireplaces“. These are remains of rituals carried out in the necropolis and related to food offerings and libations for the dead. Ritual fireplaces are usually discovered between the graves, most often next to stone walls and other structures delimiting burials or groups of burials. The repertoire of finds from the ritual fireplaces comprises mainly pottery – mostly black-glaze and plain vases, rarely painted (red-figure) ones. Less represented are terracotta figurines, metal items, funerary wreaths, etc. The monography comprises an introduction and three main chapters: Chapter I. Black-glaze pottery from the ritual fireplaces in the necropolis of Apollonia: Types and chronology, Chapter II. Catalogue of the black-glaze pottery with a commentary on the context (some 400 vases from investigations in Kalfata, Budzhaka, and Mesarite localities), and Chapter III. Other pottery. The conclusion discusses specific and the general problems of the pottery in the fireplaces, problems of chronology, and an attempt to bind archaeological evidence with historical processes.