Hellespontus Kıyılarından Bir Grup Ticari Amphora / A Group of Commercial Amphorae from the Shores of Hellespont

Abstract

A group of commercial amphorae, from the Troy Museum is the subject of this article. These amphoras, which are completely preserved and have different origins that can be evaluated in a long process from the Hellenistic to the end of the Byzantine era and they were donated to the museum by collector Mehmet Uzuner in 2020. The invertebrate and algae remains, sands and salts on the surfaces and interiors of the amphorae show that they are all underwater finds. Although they do not belong to an archaeological context or a stratigraphic layer, based on the samples of similar type and shape unearthed after scientific excavations and research, the origins of all of them could be determined clearly and their dates could be revealed. In addition, we can accept that the coasts of Gallipoli are mentioned as the region where they were revealed in the records of the collection, and that the existing artifacts are important in terms of documenting the commercial activities of the Troas region, especially the Hellespontus (Çanakkale Strait) coasts. Because of these amphorae found on the shores of Hellespontus may belong to cargo ships that use the Dardanelles as a transit route, as well as to cargo ships that use the port cities on the shores of the Bosphorus as stops and trade goods there. Numerous settlements, large and small, with a small port or a suitable cove on the Bosphorus coast, especially important port cities such as Sestos, Abydos, Madytos, Lampsakos and Gallipolis, serve as a stop for ships used in overseas trade and a transit point for products. Therefore, it is possible that the amphoras in question are directly related to commercial activities such as production, consumption and buying and selling in the regional settlements.

Keywords

• troy museum
• hellespont
• wine production and consumption
• trade amphorae