Hellenistic tableware from Well S.50 in the Agora of Nea Paphos (Cyprus)

Abstract

The paper presents tableware (TW) from a Hellenistic deposit found in Well S.50 located in the Agora of Nea Paphos, a city situated on the southwest coast of Cyprus. Based on TW pottery, this closed deposit is dated from approximately the mid-2nd century to 30 BC. The data obtained permitted to observe a three-stage process of backfilling the well in the Hellenistic period. In the second phase, it probably served as a burial place, as human remains intentionally deposited in the well may attest. The TW pottery was examined using a macroscopic method based on fabric characteristics and typology. The assemblage was divided into groups according to function, ware, and macroscopic characteristics. In addition, statistical analysis was applied to calculate the Minimum Number of Vessels (MNV) and the Estimated Vessel Equivalent (EVE), and the CReA-Patrimoine web application was used for estimating the capacity of selected vessels. The results suggest a dominant role of local Color-coated Ware produced in the Paphos region. The recurrence of forms, the quantitative share of specific shapes within functional categories, and the capacity measurements form a basis for preliminary observations concerning the eating and drinking habits in the Hellenistic city.

Keywords

• Agora of Nea Paphos
• Hellenistic period
• tableware pottery
• closed well deposit
• macroscopic analysis of fabric
• pottery function