Attic Black-Glazed Plates from Olbia Pontica

Abstract

Attic black-glazed ware is undoubtedly a common material in the Northern Black Sea region. The majority of such finds can provide information for a profound understanding of ancient materials. Together with pottery decoration, the morphology of forms not only allows to determine the most correct dating for the particular ware, but also to identify dates for closed archaeological complexes and larger objects. For instance, specific types of pottery decoration, such as particular motifs or styles, can contribute to the dating process. This article presents the analysis of a specific group of glossed pottery – plates – covering roughly the time from the late Archaic to the Hellenistic period. Multiform plates and bowls were one of the most popular types of the black-glazed pottery.