Stratonikeia Kuzey Cadde Kanalizasyonunda Bulunan Bir Grup Seramiğin Ön Değerlendirmesi / A Preliminary Evaluation of a Group of Pottery Found in the Sewerage of the North Street at Stratonikeia

Abstract

The North Street of Stratonikeia, one of the important monuments of the ancient city, starts from the North City Gate and Fountain and extends towards the city centre; in addition to daily use, it served actively in the processions related with the Hecate cult at Lagina and Zeus cult at Panamara. Studies conducted have shown that this street was in use during the Hellenistic and Roman periods as well as Late Antiquity. Excavations on the eastern side of the street have brought to light finds from the last quarter of the second millennium BC. In the course of restoration and conservation work carried out in the main axis of the street, a 90-m-long stretch of the main sewage channel was excavated. During the cleaning and excavation works in the sewer system, a total of 45 pieces of ceramics were contained. Among of these ceramics, pieces with good condition, profile and scratchables were selected and 35 samples were handled within the scope of the study. These specimens are categorised based on their clay-slip, form and ware groups; furthermore, it was endeavoured to identify their period, local production or imports in comparison with similar sherds. Most of the pottery finds from the sewage channel date to the 5th-7th centuries AD; however, some specimens are attributed to the Bronze Age; thus, the finds evince the long service life of the North Street and its environs. Furthermore, the density of potsherds indicates that difference in clay, slip and typology stand out instead of the popular red slip wares popular in Late Antiquity. These differences suggest that locally produced pottery of less expensive production was preferred in the region.

Keywords

• stratonikeia
• north street
• sewage channel
• pottery
• late antiquity
• local production