New Data about Pottery Production in the 9th–10th centuries in Pliska (Capital of the First Bulgarian Kingdom)

Abstract

In the first part of this report, we will present two large ceramic complexes – one from the beginning of the ninth century and the second from the mid-ninth century. Both sets of pottery were found while excavating the secret passages, which form a net of tunnels, in Pliska. The discovery of the numerous complex of table vessels in the center of Pliska puts forward the question of the specific needs of such an inventory at the ruler’s court. The deposition of the vessels near the ruler’s residence means that they were used for the needs of the king’s household. The second part of the report presents a pottery kiln, found in the south-east sector of the so called “Inner Town” of Pliska capital city. The kiln used to have two chambers placed one above another. The firing (lower) chamber is slightly bigger than that of the upper chamber. Three big oval pits was found, situated in a raw south of the pottery kiln. Two of them were functionally connected with the kiln and obviously served as ancillary pits. Three wares were found in the first and second ancillary pits. They demonstrate features specific for the end of the 10th and most of all the beginning of the 11th c. AD.

Keywords

• ceramic complexes
• table vessels
• pottery kiln
• pliska
• medieval