Ephesus, Agora-excavation, Pottery of greek periods

Excavations, conducted 1987 to 1996, in the western part of the roman commercial agora have brought to light major parts of the Hellenistic agora-buildings. These show a development in monumentalisation in four phases from the early third to the mid second century BC. In augustan times the Hellenistic agora was totally destroyed and on a level of about two meters higher a new construction took place. Below the foundations of the Hellenistic angora an early village, called Smyrna, could be localised. The oldest oval or rectangular shaped houses, consisting of one room only, belong to the late eighth century BC, five more phases reach down to mid sixth century. The houses in early and mid archaic times already tend to complex groundplans, which spread new light on tile development of classical Greek dwelling architecture. In sixth to fourth centuries the excavated area was used as a quarter of craftsmen, beneath other structures a pottery ciln was found. The project will deal not only with the stratigraphy and architectural remains but needs a detailed research of the complete findings. So first time in Ephesos we can show the spectrum of pottery in private areas before hellenism and we will be able to distinguish local and imported ware (from Korinthos, Athens, northern Greek and, of course, western Anatolia. The comparison with the pottery found in the great sanctuary, the precinct of Artemis, will be possible also. The general publication of the vast Hellenistic material by reasons of economy and methodology will take place in a mixture of contextual and typological items. The single results of the studies in amphoras, lamps terracotta figurines and coins will be coordinated by the director of the project and may help to control one another and the modelling of stratigraphy. The fine table and kitchen wares form the main part of the findings. This material will be published in closed stratified complexes to show the "Fundvergesellschaftung", the catalogue will give the development of forms and shapes of the single types then. Our interest will focus especially on the megaric bowls, for whose production also form elements were found, as an Ephesian production is already postulated since long time.