Byzantine Amphorae in Ephesus

In archaeology, amphorae represent an important source of information for the reconstruction of trade contacts, agricultural production and habits of consumption. They were containers for a variety of goods, in particular wine, fish products and fruits, including dates and olives. Ephesos provides an outstanding foundation for the analysis of amphorae, since it is indeed one of the largest ancient cities with a functioning harbour which served as a hub for wares from the entire Mediterranean region as well as from the Anatolian hinterland. A current research programme is dedicated to the history of the city during the Byzantine era (4th-14th centuries), applying an interdisciplinary approach which incorporates scientific methods and which takes into account a number of sub-disciplines. A core question relates to the transformation of the ancient metropolis into a Turkish town, which was also connected to a shift in the settlement nucleus. The goal of the investigation is an evaluation of the amphorae evidence of the Byzantine period in Ephesos, taking into consideration not only the consumption habits of differing societal classes but also the trading network of the city against the backdrop of great social changes. To this end, four sites which have been recently excavated in the ancient city and to which different functions have been ascribed, have been selected. In this manner, it should be determined if sites which had administrative, commercial, sacred or even private function can also be differentiated with regard to their consumption habits. Furthermore, the question regarding the agricultural production of the hinterland of Ephesos and its export practices should also be pursued. Characteristic amphora types, which can unequivocally be assigned to Ephesos, can be associated with the production of wine and, in lesser quantities, also with oil. In order to determine these types, scientific methods for the identification of their origin, as well as form- typoological criteria, are applied. A precise analysis of the local production leads to the question whether political and social upheavals had direct consequences for agricultural production, or whether this production continued undisturbed. Particular attention is paid to the destructions of the 7th century, which introduced a caesura into the settlement history and led to the mid-Byantine period which followed. This period, due to the dire historical record, is often referred to as the Dark Ages. Recent results of research, however, suggest that although indeed a distinct decrease in population can be recognised, nevertheless settlement continuity as well as the functioning systems of harbour, city and hinterland endured. Even if the project is focused on Ephesos, it is not limited to Ephesos. Other relevant sites in the Aegean region and all around the Mediterranean will be included in the study. The relevance of the planned research, however, goes far beyond a simple analysis of the Ephesian amphora evidence, but may in fact be viewed as a paradigmatic case study for the entire eastern Aegean region, as Ephesos functioned also in the Byzantine era as a gateway community and commercial hub.

The project The Byzantine Amphorae from Ephesos (Lise Meitner M 2035) was developed from January 2017 until January 2019. During this period several articles were written, new scientific collaborations were done and several participations in Congresses, Workshops and other scientific activities. Base of the project was the study of amphorae from several Ephesian contexts dated in the Byzantine period. Unfortunately, as a result of the diplomatic conflict between Austria and Turkey, it was not possible to fully achieve this aim. Nevertheless, in the 2018 archaeological campaign a large number of amphorae were studied. This study provided a good overview about the trade relations of Ephesos and about the local production of amphorae and consequently about the commodities packed in the local amphorae. Thanks to the study of the Ephesian amphorae, there is no doubt that Ephesos was a very active commercial metropolis during Late Antiquity. At the beginning or middle of the 7th century AD some changes in the local amphora production can be followed. New amphora types, the so-called Late Roman 13, were now produced in the territory of Ephesos. This trend continued during the 8th and beginning of the 9th century with the so-called Globular Amphorae. They were quite probably produced in Ephesos as well. Concerning the imports, they are still quite visible in the 7th, 8th and probably in the beginning of the 9th century. Regions such as Africa, Egypt, Palestine or Phoenicia sent their agricultural commodities at Ephesos still in the 7th and beginning of the 8th century. It is in the 8th century when the commercial exchange in the Aegean shrank. The already in process petrological analysis will surely contribute to a better understanding of the 8th and 9th century amphora origin. It is planned to publish in 2019 and 2020 some more papers after the petrologic evaluation.