A Group of female figurines from the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology

The purpose of this study is to analyse from different perspectives a group of female figurines acquired by the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology between 1962 and 2009 through purchase, donation and reclamation. The scope of the study is limited chronologically and includes female figurines from the Late Classical-Hellenistic-Roman periods. Since it was not possible to determine the findspots of the objects in question, it was not possible to carry out an evaluation within the framework of a single site/workshop, but a general analysis was carried out and an attempt was made to draw some conclusions for the Carian coroplastic studies. The study first discusses the history and archaeology of the Bodrum peninsula and Bodrum Castle, where the museum is located. The figurines are then analysed technically, typologically, iconographically and stylistically, and a dating proposal is made for each object on the basis of all these criteria. With regard to the tastes of the periods to which the figurines belong and the aesthetic preferences of the women, the clothing, accessories and headdresses of the period are analysed, taking into account the studies on this subject in the literature. In addition, some ideas about the place of the figurines in the religious, political, cultural and social life of the Carian region are tried to be put forward.