Terracotta unguentariums from Myra and Andriake

Myra and its harbor Andriake are located in the Demre district of Antalya. Since 2009, excavations have been continuing under the direction of Prof. Dr. N. Çevik. The excavations have revealed that Myra was inhabited in a wide historical period from the Classical Period to the Early Byzantine Period. However, excavations in the theater orchestra in recent years have taken the history of Myra and its harbor back to the Late Chalcolithic Age. The excavations yielded many finds, one of which is the terracotta unguentariums evaluated within the scope of this thesis. Out of a total of 190 unguentarium sherds; 130 of them were cataloged and analyzed. These unguentariums were analyzed under the headings of fusiform, dome-mouthed, bulbous, other and late antique unguentariums. The fusiform unguentariums belong to a wide date range from the late 4th century BC to the 2nd century AD. Dome-mouthed unguentariums are dated between the second quarter of the 2nd century BC and the late 2nd century AD. Bulbous forms were used in a narrower date range such as the 1st-2nd century AD. Late Antiquity unguentariums were found to have been in use between the 5th-7th centuries AD. The unguentariums of Late Antiquity constitute the most dense group among these. This type includes examples with block and butterfly-shaped monograms. Since there is no detailed study on the monograms, no clear conclusions could be drawn, but some inferences were made based on the letters. The declaration of Myra as the administrative and religious capital of Lycia in the 5th century AD and the intensification of trade activities in the city are directly related to the numerical density of unguentarium dating to this period. In this context, the production and distribution of unguentariums also reflects the economic prosperity and political structure of the region. Pilgrims visiting the Church of St. Nicholas may have purchased these bottles, filled with holy oil or water, from here. The density of the unguentariums found in the Agora at Andriake suggests that these vessels were sold not only for religious purposes but also as a commercial product. Keywords Lykia, Myra, Andriake, Unguentarium, Late Antiquity, Fusiform, Bulbous Form