Terra-cottes from Patara from Hellenistic till to Early Roman Period

TERRA-COTTA FIGURINES FROM PATARA -from Hellenistic till to early roman period- Hellenistic and early Roman era terra-cottas of Patara, forms the subject of this study. The majority of the necropolis artifacts used in this study, is found in the underground burial rooms at the necropolis excavations between 1993-1997. Besides these, 2 artifacts were discovered from a sarcophages, 1 from the Tepecik excavation in 1954, and 1 from Tepecik surveys. The majority of the artifacts used in this study, which examines Hellenistic and early Roman era Patara terra-eotta statuettes, is found in the underground burial rooms at the necropolis excavations between 1989- 1997. Up to this date, 57 statuettes have been unearthed. Although the number of finds may seem quite low the wide variety of characteristics exhibited across them shows the importance of this study. There is 34 different types of terra-cotta statuettes found, 7 of which have shown very unique characteristics never before seen in any of the important Hellenistic era terra-cota work shops. This fact strongly suggests that the materials found in Patara could indicate ties with a new production center. Two such examples, K 52 (patritze) and K 51 (matritze), suggest that this new workshop may be nearby. Also, K 22 statuette, with its very different characteristics, has been discovered to be "Apollon Pataros", a local subject indigenous to Patera. This is an important fact that supports the theory of a new and local terra-cotta workshop. A stylistic study showed that the majority of the finds were produced in the late Hellenistic and early roman eras, and a small number came from the early and middle Hellenistic eras. Thus, it can be concluded mat Patara terra-cottas were produced uninterruptedly throughout the Hellenistic era. A detailed study of the style, characteristics, and iconography of each Patara terra-cotta supported the theory of an established relationship between the coroplast workshops in western and south Anatolia, Italy, Aegean Islands, Egypt and other centers. The new terra-cotta types, introduced by these commercial ties, provide insight on the city's cultural development and changes. These terra-cottas enable us to observe the religious history, its connection to daily life, and the details of the burial traditions. The contribution of these Patara terra-cottas to the city's religious life has been with the discovery of known and unknown cults. The discovery of the plastic Cult description of the God Apollo, whose presence is known at Patara since the Heredot era and has an important place in the Lycian cult, has provided a new Apollo description in the Hellenistic era sculpture. Discovery of statutes among Patara terra-cottas of Egypt cult origins, such as Isis and Harpokat provides evidence of a cultural exchange. This is also an indication that the historically known EgyptianXI presence in the area was not limited to the military hegemony. The presence of a heroism cult was discovered for the first time in Patara and surrounding areas through the "cavalier" figurines found at the site. Connections to the never before seen Dionysos cult in Patara were also unearthed with the finding of K 39 "child on the turtle" figure. Terra-cottas have a wide usage in the Patara burial tradition as seen by the evidence found in the previously unopened underground room burials. Among the 45 graves that have been found, 8 had previously not been opened and 5 contained terra-cotas, this shows a 62.5 % usage, which is considered quite high. However, due to the continuation of the necropolis excavations, these results can be expected to change.