Halasarna, excavation research: Finds
The majority of finds consist of amphora sherds, which were intended for the transport or storage of liquid or solid goods. The amphorae thus provide valuable information about the trade activities of the settlement, and specifically about the exports and imports of agricultural products. The systematic production of local Koan amphorae during the 6th/7th c. (Phase II), which were intended for the exporting of agricultural products, makes quite an impression. Stamps on the necks of these pots, which depict emperors or administrative officers, attest to the economic control of the state over the contents of these amphorae during this time period.
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Early Christian Koan amphorae. |
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Imported Palestinian Early Christian amphora |
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Stamp of Early Christian Koan amphora |
The fragments of red slip ware, mainly plates, are also of great interest, since they can be precisely dated and thus help in dating the phases of life in the settlement from the 4th to the 7th c. These vessels, which are mainly imported from North Africa, Phocaea and Cyprus, attest to the trade relations of Early Christian Halasarna with many sites in the Mediterranean, while in recent years the idea of the production of local imitations has become more and more compelling.
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Potsherds with red slip of North African provenance. |
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Potsherds with red slip of Asia Minor provenance. |
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Potsherds with red slip from Cypriot workshops. |
In addition, the discovery of a great number of imported oil lamps of diverse provenance: Africa, Samos, Asia Minor, many of which are intact, is also noteworthy.
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Oil lamps of the African type. | Oil lamps of the Asia Minor type. |
Finally, glass vessels, a mold for casting jewelry, as well as small metal or bone objects are of particular interest.
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