POTTERY PRODUCTION CENTER (6TH – EARLY 7TH C.) IN THE CITY OF SOFIA, LOZENETS RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT – YUZHEN (SOUTH) PARK. STUDIES IN 2000 – 2001

Abstract

The current paper aims at presenting the results from the 2000 – 2001 excavations at Lozenets residential district – Yuzhen (South) Park, Sofia. The remains of a church from the 340s – 350s were documented. This church functioned until the late 410s. Later on, the site used to be a significant architectural complex composed of a single-apse, three-nave basilica surrounded by walls with towers at the corners that also held massive buildings southwest of the basilica’s narthex and atrium courtyard. The complex was built immediately after the first decade of the 5th c. and functioned in this initial form until nearly the end of the same century. Certain changes due to tumultuous circumstances occurred before the end of the century. Subsequent reconstructions of the complex were carried out around the middle of the 6th c. These changes probably indicate that the complex was losing its religious functions and that a lay population had settled in the enclosed space. During the latest period of occupation of the site, the production of household pottery developed. Three two-chamber kilns for firing clay vessels and the related pits have also been discovered. Production activity took place in the space south of the main basilica building and within the enclosed area. The kilns belong to the widespread type with a round (oval) chamber in plan and a supporting pillar for the perforated floor. Based on stratigraphic observations, coins, and archaeomagnetic analysis, the kilns were dated in the late 6th c. They were used for the production of local coarse and glazed cooking and table wares. The entire complex stopped functioning and was abandoned in the early 7th c.

Keywords

• Early Byzantine church complex
• 6th – early 7th c.
• glazed pottery production
• pottery kilns