Hadrianopolis Roman Period pottery

Rescue excavations were conducted by Edirne Museum in 2002-2003 in order to uncover the city wall surrounding the city of Hadrianopolis established by Emperor Hadrianus as a military camp (castrum) in AD 123-125. During the excavations, ceramic fragments and pottery kiln belonging to the Roman Period were discovered. In the present study, these ceramic fragments were examined.First, ceramic fragments included in the study were photographed and their drawings were made. Later, they were classified and sorted according to their types. These ceramics with various forms and characteristics were evaluated together with their parallels and were dated considering coins and candles found in the same layer. After being classified as open and closed vessels, ceramics were subtitled according to their form and functions. Moreover, apart from these groups, ceramics found in the pottery kiln, Terra sigillata and unguentaria, were evaluated under different titles.In conclusion, the present study reveals that ceramic production existed in the city of Hadrianopolis as well as in many other centers during Late Roman Period in Trace region. Ceramics produced in other ceramic production centers located in Trace region were found to have the same form characteristics as those in Hadrianopolis. Imported ceramic vessels apart from local production were also found to exist then.