Glass from Ephesos

The project presented here is focused on the scientific analysis of late Hellenistic and Roman glass (1 st century BC - 3rd century AD) from Ephesus. As a result of the archaeological research during the past few years - especially of the recent ceramic investigations - there now exists a large number of well dated deposits in different buildings and places of ancient Ephesus. The dating of these assemblages is based on the analysis of coin series and fine ceramic ware. Available are stratified findings of significant importance from Hanghaus (Terrace House) 2, the Tetragonos Agora (Commercial Market) and the Roman State Agora. The glass finds that came to light in these deposits are now subjected to scientific investigations in the framework of the proposed project. The first operation is concerned with the typological classification and the functional interpretation of the glass finds, followed by the analysis of the historical development of the vessel forms; furthermore investigations of the relationship between glass, metal and ceramic vessels will be included. For these interpretations, the pieces of equipment from Hanghaus 2 will be of particular interest. As the building was destroyed by an earthquake in 262 AD, conclusions can be drawn from these objects concerning the structure and composition of typical Roman household effects in the 3rd century. In addition, the Ephesian glass vessels will be related to the findings of other excavations and their importance within the Eastern Mediterranean production will be explored. Furthermore the glass vessels give an impression of the trade connections of the ancient city of Ephesus and its function as a fulcrum point between east and west. The aims of the proposed project are scientific studies of the Ephesian vessel glass within the framework of the current publication projects Hanghaus 2, Tetragonos Agora and State Agora, and moreover the preparation of a monographic treatment in the light of a glass-specific formulation of the question.

The project was focused on the scientific analysis of Ephesian late Hellenistic and Roman vessel glass (1 st century BC - 3rd century AD) within the framework of the current publication projects at the Austrian Academy of Science and the Austrian Archaeological Institute. As a result of the archaeological research within the past few years - especially of the recent ceramic investigations - there now exists a large number of well dated deposits in different buildings and places of ancient Ephesus. The dating of these assemblages is based on the analysis of coin series and fine ceramic ware. Available are stratified findings of significant importance from the so called Hanghaus 2 (Terrace House 2), the Tetragonos Agora (Commercial Market) and the Roman State Agora - a fact that enabled efficient scientific analysis and interpretation of the glass finds that came to light in these deposits. In combination with the other objects found, furthermore investigations were focused on the pieces of equipment from Hanghaus 2: As the building was destroyed by an earthquake in the third quarter of the 3rd century AD, conclusions could be drawn from these objects concerning the structure and composition of typical Roman household effects in the 3rd century: More than 100 of about 250 glass vessels preserved in dwelling-area 1 and 2 of Hanghaus 2 could be identified as part of the equipment used during the middle of the 3rd century. As vitreous forms we find plates, bowls and cups, also bottles and jars - table ware serving for daily use. To light came also a large number of extraordinary objects, e.g. large bowls and plates, precious single pieces with special cut decoration or made in Millefiori technique. Furthermore numerous glass fragments could be interpreted as pieces of table ware ensembles; they show the characteristic decorations of the period in which they were produced: We find facet and cut decoration in Flavian times, indent and coil decoration occur from Severan times onward. In addition, investigations of the relationship between glass, ceramic and metal vessels illustrate the formal dependence and continuous correlation of the production through Roman times.